The First Lady’s job description is famously… nonexistent. No handbook, no contract, no paycheck – just a front-row seat to power, a hugely public stage, and the constant pressure of getting it right, even when nobody can agree on what “right” looks like. North Dakota First Lady Kjersti Armstrong leads this panel discussion, digging into how the role actually works: not through formal authority, but through presence, relationships, timing, and a lot of judgment calls. She speaks with these extraordinary panelists: Betsy Fischer Martin, an Emmy-winning journalist and the Director of the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School. Anita McBride, director of the First Ladies Initiative at American University, and the former Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush. Michelle Orton, director and Johnson Endowed Chair of the Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program (TRHLP) at Dickinson State University in North Dakota. They begin, fittingly, with Edith Roosevelt, who helped formalize the role of First Lady through White House restoration, social leadership, diplomatic hosting, and her position as advisor and anchor to President Theodore Roosevelt. The discussion then turns to how First Ladies have influenced public life and advocacy, while, of course, not leaving out the realities of being watched and judged at every turn. These panelists bring White House experience, presidential history expertise, and leadership research to a question that isn’t only about the role but about agency and power: what does it take to lead when your influence is complicated, your visibility is relentless, and what you contribute is often both essential and forgotten? This episode is part of a special 6-part series, recorded live from the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library during its Founding Benefactors Days, July 2-3, 2026, just ahead of the grand opening. Interviews, talks, and panel discussions explored the topics of leadership, conservation, civic life, and Theodore Roosevelt’s legacy today.
The First Lady’s job description is famously… nonexistent. No handbook, no contract, no paycheck – just a front-row seat to power, a hugely public stage, and the constant pressure of getting it right, even when nobody can agree on what “right” looks like.
North Dakota First Lady Kjersti Armstrong leads this panel discussion, digging into how the role actually works: not through formal authority, but through presence, relationships, timing, and a lot of judgment calls. She speaks with these extraordinary panelists:
They begin, fittingly, with Edith Roosevelt, who helped formalize the role of First Lady through White House restoration, social leadership, diplomatic hosting, and her position as advisor and anchor to President Theodore Roosevelt. The discussion then turns to how First Ladies have influenced public life and advocacy, while, of course, not leaving out the realities of being watched and judged at every turn.
These panelists bring White House experience, presidential history expertise, and leadership research to a question that isn’t only about the role but about agency and power: what does it take to lead when your influence is complicated, your visibility is relentless, and what you contribute is often both essential and forgotten?
This episode is part of a special 6-part series, recorded live from the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library during its Founding Benefactors Days, July 2-3, 2026, just ahead of the grand opening. Interviews, talks, and panel discussions explored the topics of leadership, conservation, civic life, and Theodore Roosevelt’s legacy today.
Find more media from the TRPL’s Grand Opening at TRLibrary.com/video.
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Good Citizen is hosted by Ted Roosevelt V and produced by The Future of StoryTelling in collaboration with Charts & Leisure, on behalf of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation. Learn more about T.R.’s presidential library at www.trlibrary.com.
Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation
350 Third Avenue
Medora, North Dakota 58645
Future of StoryTelling
Founder and CEO, Charles Melcher
Director, Carolyn Merriman
Producer, Alison Byrne
Assistant Producer, Madison Brown
Production Assistant, Tsuki Carlson
Charts & Leisure
Executive Producer, Jason Oberholtzer
Producer, Meghal Janardan
Editor, Garrett Crowe
Mix, Andrew Atkin
Music and Final Assembly, Michael Simonelli
With special thanks to Regina D'Alesio, Stephanie Condello, Meg Freshwater, Zineb Benchekchou, Edward F. O’Keefe, Robbie Lauf, Courtland Miller, and Matt Briney.