To conclude, women as First Ladies broke barriers to fight for the people in America. Betty Ford fought for so many things, during and after Gerald Ford’s presidency. She fought for equal rights for women and gay rights in the workplace, publicized breast cancer, and heavily talked about addiction, especially for women. Nancy Reagan tirelessly fought the crack epidemic in America, resulting in the usage going from twelve million people to six million people in just five years. These actions completely changed the role of First Lady. Previously, First Ladies were simply hostesses, and with broken barriers, are now advocators.

"Throughout Ronnie's presidency, there was an ongoing public discussion as to how much influence the first lady should have on the president. It's hardly a new problem. As long as mankind has lived in groups, there's always been a question of how to handle the boss's wife"

~Nancy Reagan

Without the previous pioneers like Reagan and Ford, current First Ladies like Michelle Obama would not be as successful as she is today, since she would have no one to follow in suit. Obama’s impressive programs have helped so much of the American youth, including education globally for girls, and to create a healthier youth. The only way Michelle Obama was able to do this is because of the influential women who came before her. Overall, First Ladies needed to pave the way for change to break the barriers on the social norms as First Ladies, and it greatly helped America.