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These results are reported in a recent YWCA USA survey report, What WomenWant: A National Survey of Priorities and Concerns, and are based on a publicopinion poll of 1,000 women ages 18-70 conducted on Oct. 28 - Nov. 2 byPrinceton Survey Research Associates International.
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"The First Lady of the United States has the inherent potential to be oneof the most influential women in the world," said Lorraine Cole, PhD, YWCAUSA's CEO. "Yet each of them can shape this role to reflect her own values andpersonal style, as well as larger cultural trends." She citied EleanorRoosevelt, Jacqueline Kennedy, Barbara Bush and Hillary Clinton as recentFirst Ladies who left their unique imprint on the role.
In the YWCA survey, women of different generations had different views ofthe First Lady's role. Specifically, 43% of senior women ages 63-70 say theywould like to see the First Lady stay behind the scenes and support herhusband. That view is shared by only 20% of younger women ages 18-29, amajority of whom (59%) say they prefer a First Lady who is a visible leader onissues that are important to her. In contrast, 26% of Gen Xers ages 30-39,many of whom came of age while Hillary Clinton was First Lady, prefer a FirstLady who gets involved in shaping public policy and government decisions.
The YWCA USA is a national not-for-profit membership organizationdedicated to social service, advocacy, education, leadership development, andracial justice. Its mission is the empowerment of women and the elimination ofracism. Established in the United States in 1858, the YWCA is the oldest andlargest national women's organization, and celebrating its 150th anniversary.Through its nearly 300 affiliated local YWCAs and its headquarters inWashington, D.C., the YWCA serves 2.5 million women and girls each year.Globally, the YWCA USA is a member of World YWCA, which has affiliates in 122countries that serve 25 million women and girls worldwide. For moreinformation, visit http://www.ywca.org.
SOURCE YWCA USA
