Social Secretaries of Past and Present
Sunday, February 8, 2009 at 11:10 PM 
Image of Letitia Baldrige courtesy of the J.F.K. Library / Public Domain
A few weeks after the election a Mrs. O regular recommended "A Lady, First," the memoirs of Letitia Baldrige, as a good read. The book chronicles Ms. Baldrige's time working in the American embassies of Paris and Rome as a young Vassar grad, and later, as White House Social Secretary during the Kennedy administration. The book was recommended with the thought that a look back might later reveal nuanced parallels or noteworthy differences as the "O"s set their own social and cultural agenda in the White House.
An excellent read it was, and since finishing, we've been increasingly curious about the role of White House Social Secretary - and now, the accomplished woman who has taken on the position for the Obama administration, Desiree Rogers. During a January 29 segment, NPR journalist Michelle Norris described Ms. Rogers's presence at the Lily Ledbetter White House reception:
"Somewhere in the background, a tall woman in a belted black velvet jacket was making sure everything was just so - from the yellow orchids on the tables to the apricot coffee cake. Her name is Desiree Rogers. She's the new White House social secretary responsible for planning events from state dinners to the annual Easter egg roll. She comes to the White House armed with a Harvard MBA, a long resume in the corporate world and a keen knowledge of the first family's tastes as a longtime member of their inner Chicago circle."
Speaking with NPR later in the segment, Ms. Rogers revealed what she doesn't want to be known as - the White House party planner. Foremost, she's concerned with building an overall strategy for events held at the White House, with the aim to build a greater sense of inclusiveness. On her agenda? A possible American Heroes dinner, a more diversified art collection, and a regular Wednesday night congressional cocktail hour.
In an interview with Vanity Fair this month, Ms. Rogers touched on the oft made comparisons to Camelot. “I don’t believe we are going to recreate Camelot,” she says. “Certainly there are very valuable lessons to learn from Camelot. Our hope is we will have our own administration…. The American people have spoken. They want new ideas.” Ms. Rogers’s goal, she says, is “to create an environment of inclusiveness so that all Americans feel like the White House is their home.” A woman as stylish as she is accomplished (we've read that, like the First Lady, Ms. Rogers is a longtime patron of Ikram) we look forward to tracking Ms. Rogers's broader influence, and of course, every ball, dinner and reception she plans for the White House.
Desiree Rogers, Ikram in Misc
Reader Comments (21)
I'm glad that the Administration, through Ms. Rodgers, is acknowledging Camelot, but also determined to create their own style and presence.
The constant Jackie O and Camelot comparisons are nice, but they really don't do the Obama family and the Obama Administration justice. Future candidates and political families will style themsleves after the Obamas now.
This is definitely a shallow statement, but I look at Desiree Rogers and cannot believe that she is 49. Not that 49 is by any stretch of the imagination "old!" But she just has such a youthful face and bearing. I'm excited to hear about some of the plans she has for the White House, and I hope she is successful in inviting more "regular folks" to the White House for a special occasion. Security concerns have helped push us further and further away from our elected officials, but I think it's a trend that needs reversing.
Thanks, Iva and Christina...your thoughts are mine.
She is such an asset to the administration.
Smooth as silk and sharp as a tack.
Her influence will be a major factor in the new ambience of the WH social scene - I cant wait to see how this manifests itself.
For those of you who don't know this, I know that this site is dedicated to the fashion style of Mrs.O but Miss Rogers is also a well known fashion icon and socialite in the Chicago area. Every time I hear the reference to the comparison to Camelot, I also cringe because the Obama's have their own styles and personalities. Even though the Kennedy's were once also an admirable couple, they are not the image the Obama's are trying to project, that's the media attempting to do this. Some people are so in love with nostalgia, this is something entirely new.
I think that a lot of people are mostly intrigue by the president and first lady more than anything else. There is no difference between them or any one else because the things that people perceive as dividers can also unite us. There are a majority of Americans who want the same things that others want for their families, the first family will now publicly show this to the world.
Ms. Rogers is a gorgeous woman. Refined, sophisticated, elegant and with intelligence to boot! She'll be a smashing social secretary.
I just wanted to add that CNN recently did an interview with Ms. Rogers and a clip can be seen on the CNN Video web page. She talked about the recent superbowl party that was held and some plans they have going forward.
It is awesome that Ms. Rogers was appointed as White House Social Secretary. She is beautiful, refined and has an eye for fashion....not to mention she holds an MBA from Harvard and is the first African-American to hold the Social Secretary position. Even though this site is for Mrs. O's fashion, I don't think she'll mind that we give Mrs. Rogers props!
how funny, that you would post this. I just started reading "A Lady First" this Saturday. I am very excited about Ms. Rogers' post and think that as the Obamas try to bring change, it is not just with policies, but making governmetn and the White House, by the people and for the people. I love it.
I *love* that the White House social secretary is such a strategic thinker. What a smart, savvy way to approach this position. I'm excited to see the relationships that form because of her skills.
So many smart people in this new Administration. It's such a relief.
Grandma,
you don't have to worry about Ms. Rogers and how she'll get back and forth. Ms. Rogers is financially quite comfortable. She's worked because she wants to, not because she has to, under any circumstances.
desiree is super bad too. two black strong intelligent-harvard-women in the forefront. i have died and gone to heaven. love michelle and desiree.
The more I read about Ms. Rodgers the more I like her: smart, stylish...remind you of someone? :)
Thanks for the great book tip. That sounds like a great read. Anyone who's interested in the Washington social scene should also read The Party by famed DC hostess Sally Quinn. She and her husband, Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee, entertain presidents and bigshots.
Finally, on the topic of Camelot, my mother often makes the point that Jacqueline Kennedy was enamoured of French culture--she brought a French chef to the White House, wore American copies of French fashions, and put a premium on European art. She even arranged for the Mona Lisa to be shown in the US. So while Mrs. K had abundant style and many gifts and I admire her in the utmost, I think the comparison rings false. The Obamas have their own style and it is a truly American style. That doesn't literally mean that Mrs. O won't wear a French designer, but it means that they realize that one of the points of the White House is to showcase the best of what America has to offer.
The comparisons between the two women only go so far. Yes, both are glamorous, young and fashionable. However, Jackie was an upper class rich girl- the daughter of millionaire socialites.
Michelle to me is more of a people's princess, if you like. She's from working / middle class people who worked hard to pay the bills, put the kids through college and put food on the table. I read somewhere that at earlier times in their marriage she was the main breadwinner in the family, before hubby's career took off.
The Obama's are very much about all that American dream stuff- through hard work, tenacity, investment in education etc., anyone can make it, regardless of race, class etc.
People look at her and think, she understands me, she's been where I've been. I'm glad someone like that gets to be princess for a change!
Jackie's French ancestry on one side of the family might explain her draw to things French
I'm so pleased to see Desiree Rogers highlighted on your site. She is sugar sharp and I like it. She is the hottness. Keep up the good work Ms. Rogers!!!!!
The comparison to Camelot is just another indication of how the media just doesn't know what to do with Pres and Mrs. O. They're not like anyone else who's been in the White House, the campaign was like nothing that's ever been done in history and it looks like he's trying to govern completely different than any other president. When I watch the news shows, I just laugh at the talking heads because they keep trying to make comparisons to other administrations and "based on their experience" statements.
It just won't work with this presidency. While there is definitely nothing new under the sun, he's bringing a newness to this office that's never been done. We're in a very complex time and the country needs a solution to address it; what's been done in the past hasn't worked so we've got to blaze a new trail. I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!
I read somewhere that at earlier times in their marriage she was the main breadwinner in the family, before hubby’s career took off. *************
let's be honest...before Barack Obama got his book contract in 2005, Michelle Obama WAS the family breadwinner for their marriage. She outearned him from the beginning of their marriage.
what a beautifull classy lady. i love all this beauty and brains in the wh......this administration is really stunning.
I met Ms. Rogers in Chicago the early 1990s when I was deciding upon which MBA program to enter. She was gracious enough to share her MBA experience at a forum I attended. I believe that she had just been selected to head the Illinois State Lottery commission. She was smart, professional and ambitious but what I appreciated most was that she took time out of her busy evening to come and speak to us.
I think she will be a wonderful addition to the White House and I look forward to seeing her events.
Latitia Baldridge is historically more formal than today's social secretaries. Mrs. Baldridge, on a Vanity Fair photo shoot about people, who worked in the Kennedy administration expressed her disregard for today's trends. Funny thing she mentioned was that today's hostess style is all too plain, informal and similar. She seemed to place blame for the change on Martha Stewart.