Thursday, April 8, 2027
“Take Them Out to a Ballgame: First Ladies & Sports” presented by Diana Carlin
Discover a side of the First Ladies few know presented by Diana Carlin
Bess Truman was an avid baseball fan and an athlete in her own right, but she was not alone. Starting with Martha Washington, who was an excellent horsewoman, many first ladies engaged in athletic activities and were sports fans. This conversation will look at the role sports played in Bess Truman’s and other first ladies’ lives before and during the presidential years. You’ll hear about special exhibitions of women athletes at the White House and how taking a riding lesson became a defining event in one first lady’s approach to her role.
About the author:
Diana B. Carlin is professor emerita of communication at Saint Louis University and a retired faculty member and administrator at the University of Kansas. She taught courses on first ladies at both universities. She is currently an adjunct in the School of Public Affairs at American University where she teaches a virtual course on first ladies. Her interest in first ladies began with a biography of Abigail Adams while in elementary school. She is the author of book chapters Martha Washington, Julia Grant, Lady Bird Johnson, Barbara Bush, Hillary Clinton, and Michelle Obama. She is the co-author with Anita B. McBride and Nancy Kegan Smith of the first textbook on first ladies, U.S. First Ladies: Making History and Leaving Legacies and Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America’s History-Making Women. She authored articles for the White House History Quarterly on first ladies and Sesame Street in the White House and on The Generals’ Wives: Martha Washington, Julia Grant, and Mamie Eisenhower. She teaches a variety of Osher Lifelong Learning classes on first ladies and has given several newspaper and radio interviews on first ladies. She is a founding member and current President of FLARE—First Ladies Association for Research and Education.
Ms. Carlin’s book:
Come hear the author talk about the first ladies as she brings these stories to life and buy a signed copy of her book after the presentation!
On the lawn of the beautiful Harry S. Truman Little White House located at 111 Front St.
Gates open at 5:30pm
Presentation begins at 6:00pm. Book signing after the event.
All seating is general admission.
Tickets: Members ($20) Non-Members ($35)
If you’re unsure about your membership status, feel free to reach out to Stacey at [email protected] or call 305-294-9911 Ext.4.
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The Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 that serves to preserve the Harry S. Truman Little White House, Florida’s only presidential museum, and programming that supports civic engagement, education and the historical and cultural influences of the Truman era. EIN# 75-2979668.
