“I am a woman above everything else.”- Jacqueline Kennedy
Jacqueline Lee Bouvier was born in Southhampton, New York on July 28, 1929. Her father was a successful Wall Street stockbroker, her mother a socialite and an accomplished equestrian . As a child Jacqueline enjoyed horseback riding and reading.
At the age of 10, her parents divorced. Dealing with the divorce of her parents was an extremely difficult time in her life. At the time, few children had divorced parents.
Dispite difficult times, Jackie took advantage of opportunities to grow. She began taking ballet and French lessons. In 1947 she graduated from an all girls boarding school in Connecticut and sought continuing education at Vassar College in New York. At university she studied art, history and French. She was spent her junior year of college studying abroad in Paris, France.
Upon returning to the United States, she transferred from Vassar College to George Washington University to be closer to her family and complete the remainder of her schooling.
In the 1951 Jackie began her first job as the “Inquiring Camera Girl” for the Washington Times Herald. During this time she met John F. Kennedy, who was soon to be elected Senator of Massachusetts. In September of 1953 they married in Newport, Rhode Island.
John F. Kennedy announced his candidacy for the presidency on January 3, 1960 and launched his campaign across the country. Jacqueline Kennedy accompanied her husband to campaign events and assisted on the campaign trail.
Jackie Kennedy remains one of the most popular First Ladies of the United States. Her role as a wife and mother was her greatest passion. As First Lady she dedicated her time to the restoration of the White House, promotion of American arts and preservation of its history. During her husband’s presidency she became a global style icon and was often criticized for her love of French couture. Throughout the years she has made countless best dressed lists, last year Forbes even included her on the list 10 Fashion Icons and the Trends They Made Famous.
The photograph we recreated of Jackie in her iconic gingham dress was taken by photographer Jacques Lowe in Hyannis Port, MA and appeared in several magazines such as Paris Match and Ladies’ Home Journal. Jackie will forever be remembered for her style and grace.
Thank you to Lizzie Harrell for partnering on this project.
Although she was well-known for playing the “dumb blonde”, Marilyn rose above that stereotype proving she could deliver strong performances in serious dramatic roles and was one of the first women to start her own production company.
Marilyn passed before the modern women’s movement and throughout her career she was objectified as sex symbol, but many consider her a proto-feminist or a martyr for modern feminism. Possessing a quality that was at the same time innocent and sensual, Marilyn’s comfort in her own skin and casualness towards nudity helped make it more culturally acceptable for women to embrace their sensuality. She also used her influence to support other women. When Ella Fitzgerald wasn’t allowed to perform at Mocambo because of her race, Marilyn called the venue’s owner and told him that she wanted Ella booked immediately and she would be at the front table every night.
