First Ladies Who Lunch
FIRST LADIES WHO LUNCH
CAPITOL FILE
SUMMER 2006
BY JULIA ALLISON
Behind every politician, there’s an exhausted congressional spouse. And who else can relate but other exhausted congressional spouses?
CAPITOL FILE
SUMMER 2006
BY JULIA ALLISON
Behind every politician, there’s an exhausted congressional spouse. And who else can relate but other exhausted congressional spouses?
Almost a century ago, those spouses – all wives back then – formed The Congressional Club, a non-partisan group promoting friendship amongst the wives of House and Senate members, as well as Supreme Court Justices and Members of the President’s Cabinet.
Every year, the Club hosts a variety of activities, but none so elaborate as the annual First Ladies Luncheon. What began as a small breakfast in 1912 to honor the wife of the President has evolved over the years into “the most spectacular event we hold,” according to Congressional Club President Vicki Tiahrt.
The wife of Kansas Republican Representative Todd Tiahrt, Vicki is “passionate” about “getting the spouses out of typical ‘Democrat or Republican’ ruts.” After honoring the First Lady, camaraderie is the purpose of the lunch, she says. “We want to bring everyone together in a congenial, bi-partisan setting.” It appears to be working – the event has been at capacity for the past 10 years.
Of the 675 current Club members, a significant percentage attends yearly, many bringing up to three permitted guests, often wives of staff members or visitors from their home districts. What it lacks in intimacy – approximately 2,000 guests fill the tables at the Hilton Washington International Ballroom – it makes up for in fantastic goody bags and boldface names. Or wives of boldface names.
Past years’ themes have included Americana, Celebrating the Heartland, and Gifts of the Garden. This year’s Chairwoman, Jan English (wife of Philadelphia Republican Representative Phil English), choose to honor her Native American heritage by selecting a theme called “The First Americans.” (In accordance with the theme, the Club will donate $25,000 to the United National Indian Tribal Youth.)
From the sea of pastel suits to the grandly decorated tables, the Club steadfastly maintains their luncheon’s century-old traditions. Indeed, the event begins with a promenade of distinguished Club members (“Wives of”) and Junior Hostesses (“Daughters of”). Escorted by members of the United States Marie Corps, the women stroll down what looks suspiciously like a runway while their names, along with that of their husband (or parents), are announced.
Among the power wives this year were Jean Hastert, Jane Roberts, Maureen Scalia, Mary Kennedy, Virginia Thomas, Martha-Ann Alito, Joyce Rumsfeld, Meryl Chertoff, Rebecca Gonzales, Karyn Frist and Landra Reid. The daughters channeled Pocahontas-meets-the-1980s in matching themed peasant dresses and jean jackets.
“Perhaps the promenade is outdated,” Tiahrt admits, “but we love our history and tradition, so we continue it. Besides, people come from all around the country and want to get a good look at Laura Bush!”
When the white-suited First Lady begins her walk, a woman whispers, “She looks good!” There are nods of agreement all around as camera flashes go off like a rock concert. “This is her sixth luncheon. She’s a very popular first lady,” says President Tiahrt.
And quite a good public speaker. After lauding the sought-after table favors – this year straw baskets, a turquoise necklace and Ralph Lauren perfume – Mrs. Bush spoke about America’s youth and encouraged the Congressional spouses to band together.
“You whisper in the ears of pretty important people in Washington,” she said, nodding at the audience, “or should I say holler?”
It’s true, says Tiahrt, and one of the reasons the luncheon is so successful, “Despite the way our husbands’ vote, we have a lot in common.” Besides, she adds, “where else in Washington DC would you see these spouses together?”
Every year, the Club hosts a variety of activities, but none so elaborate as the annual First Ladies Luncheon. What began as a small breakfast in 1912 to honor the wife of the President has evolved over the years into “the most spectacular event we hold,” according to Congressional Club President Vicki Tiahrt.
The wife of Kansas Republican Representative Todd Tiahrt, Vicki is “passionate” about “getting the spouses out of typical ‘Democrat or Republican’ ruts.” After honoring the First Lady, camaraderie is the purpose of the lunch, she says. “We want to bring everyone together in a congenial, bi-partisan setting.” It appears to be working – the event has been at capacity for the past 10 years.
Of the 675 current Club members, a significant percentage attends yearly, many bringing up to three permitted guests, often wives of staff members or visitors from their home districts. What it lacks in intimacy – approximately 2,000 guests fill the tables at the Hilton Washington International Ballroom – it makes up for in fantastic goody bags and boldface names. Or wives of boldface names.
Past years’ themes have included Americana, Celebrating the Heartland, and Gifts of the Garden. This year’s Chairwoman, Jan English (wife of Philadelphia Republican Representative Phil English), choose to honor her Native American heritage by selecting a theme called “The First Americans.” (In accordance with the theme, the Club will donate $25,000 to the United National Indian Tribal Youth.)
From the sea of pastel suits to the grandly decorated tables, the Club steadfastly maintains their luncheon’s century-old traditions. Indeed, the event begins with a promenade of distinguished Club members (“Wives of”) and Junior Hostesses (“Daughters of”). Escorted by members of the United States Marie Corps, the women stroll down what looks suspiciously like a runway while their names, along with that of their husband (or parents), are announced.
Among the power wives this year were Jean Hastert, Jane Roberts, Maureen Scalia, Mary Kennedy, Virginia Thomas, Martha-Ann Alito, Joyce Rumsfeld, Meryl Chertoff, Rebecca Gonzales, Karyn Frist and Landra Reid. The daughters channeled Pocahontas-meets-the-1980s in matching themed peasant dresses and jean jackets.
“Perhaps the promenade is outdated,” Tiahrt admits, “but we love our history and tradition, so we continue it. Besides, people come from all around the country and want to get a good look at Laura Bush!”
When the white-suited First Lady begins her walk, a woman whispers, “She looks good!” There are nods of agreement all around as camera flashes go off like a rock concert. “This is her sixth luncheon. She’s a very popular first lady,” says President Tiahrt.
And quite a good public speaker. After lauding the sought-after table favors – this year straw baskets, a turquoise necklace and Ralph Lauren perfume – Mrs. Bush spoke about America’s youth and encouraged the Congressional spouses to band together.
“You whisper in the ears of pretty important people in Washington,” she said, nodding at the audience, “or should I say holler?”
It’s true, says Tiahrt, and one of the reasons the luncheon is so successful, “Despite the way our husbands’ vote, we have a lot in common.” Besides, she adds, “where else in Washington DC would you see these spouses together?”