ROSALYNN CARTER .

Born in Plains, Georgia, on August 18, 1927, Rosalynn Smith grew up in an atmosphere of strong family ties and dedication to church and community. When she was 13, her father died and her mother became a dressmaker to help support the family. As the oldest, Rosalynn worked beside her mother, helping with the sewing, the housekeeping, and the other three children. Times were difficult, but she completed high school and enrolled in Georgia Southwestern College at Americus. In 1945, after her freshman year, she first dated Jimmy Carter, a friend and neighbor who was home from the U. S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. Their romance progressed, and in 1946 they were married.

The couple went to Norfolk, Virginia, Ensign Carter's first duty station. The navy kept them on the move. Their sons were born in different places: John William in Virginia, James Earl III in Hawaii, and Donnel Jeffrey in Connecticut. In 1953, Jimmy’s father died and the Carters returned to Plains to run the family business. Managing the accounts of the peanut, fertilizer and seed enterprise, Rosalynn found herself working full-time. A daughter, Amy Lynn, was born in Georgia in 1967.

When Jimmy entered politics in 1962, Rosalynn became an important part of his team, helping him become governor of Georgia in 1970. During his run for president, she traveled independently throughout the United States. Her quiet, friendly manner made her an effective campaigner.

As first lady, Mrs. Carter managed routine duties and special projects. She attended cabinet meetings and briefings, frequently represented her husband at ceremonial occasions, and served as the president's personal emissary to Latin American countries. She also focused national attention on the performing arts and took a strong interest in programs to aid mental health, the community and the elderly. From 1977 to 1978, she served as the honorary chairperson of the President's Commission on Mental Health.

Mrs. Carter’s autobiography, First Lady From Plains, was published in 1984. She is a director of the Carter Center in Atlanta, where she manages an active mental health program and works with human rights, conflict resolution, and childhood immunization. She also shares her community service talents with Habitat for Humanity, an organization that builds homes for the underprivileged.

NANCY REAGAN .

"My life really began when I married my husband," says Nancy Reagan, who happily left an acting career for a role as the wife of Ronald Reagan and mother to their children. According to her autobiography Nancy, published in 1980, her life actually began in New York City on July 6, 1923. When she was six, her actress mother married Dr. Loyal Davis. Dr. Davis adopted Nancy, and she grew up in Chicago. It was a happy time with summer camp, tennis, swimming and dancing. She received her formal education at Girls' Latin School and at Smith College in Massachusetts, where she majored in theater.

After graduation Nancy became a professional actress, touring with a road company, then landing a role on Broadway in the hit musical Lute Song. More parts followed, drawing an offer from Hollywood. Billed as Nancy Davis, she performed in 11 films from 1949 to 1956. Her first screen role was in Shadow on the Wall. Other releases included The Next Voice You Hear and East Side, West Side. In her last movie, Hellcats of the Navy, she played opposite her husband.

She had met Ronald Reagan in 1951, when he was president of the Screen Actors Guild. The following year they were married. Mrs. Reagan soon retired from making movies to find "real fulfillment" with her husband and children. President and Mrs. Reagan have a daughter, Patricia Ann, and a son, Ronald Prescott.

While her husband was governor of California from 1967 to 1975, she spent many hours visiting veterans, the elderly, and the handicapped. As America’s first lady, she lent her support to the Foster Grandparent Program, subject of her 1982 book, To Love A Child. She also concentrated on the fight against drug and alcohol abuse among young people, and in 1985 held a conference for first ladies of 17 countries to focus international attention on this problem. In her term at the White House, Mrs. Reagan directed a major renovation of the second and third floors; then used the Executive Mansion to showcase young artistic talent in the PBS television series "In Performance at the White House."

Now living in retirement with her husband in California, Nancy continues to work on her campaign to teach children to "just say no" to drugs, though her husband and her home remain her first priority. In her book My Turn, published in 1989, she gives her own account of her life in the White House. Through the joys and sorrows of those days, including the assassination attempt on her husband, Nancy Reagan held fast to her belief in love, honesty, and selflessness. "The ideals have endured because they are right and are no less right today than yesterday."

BARBARA BUSH .

Rarely has a first lady been greeted by the American people and the press with the approbation and warmth accorded to Barbara Pierce Bush. People are comfortable with her warm, relaxed manner and keen wit. With characteristic directness, she says people like her because they know "I'm fair and I like children and I adore my husband."

Barbara Pierce was born on June 8, 1925, and grew up in the suburban town of Rye, New York. She went to boarding school at Ashley Hall in South Carolina. It was at a dance when she was only 16 that she met George Bush. They became engaged just before he went off to war as a Navy torpedo bomber pilot. When George returned on leave, Barbara had dropped out of Smith College. Two weeks later, on January 6, 1945, they were married.

After the war, they set out for Texas to start their lives together. Six children were born to them: George, Robin, Jeb, Neil, Marvin, and Dorothy. In the first 44 years of marriage, while her husband built a business in the oil industry and held a variety of political and public service positions, Mrs. Bush managed 29 moves of the household. She became the family linchpin, providing everything from discipline to carpools. The death of their daughter Robin from leukemia when she was not quite four left them with a lifelong compassion. She says, "Because of Robin, George and I love every living human more."

Barbara Bush was always an asset to her husband during his campaigns for public office. Her friendly, forthright manner won her high marks from the voters and the press. As wife of the vice president, she selected the promotion of literacy as her special cause. As first lady, she called working for a more literate America the "most important issue we have." Involved with many organizations devoted to this cause, she became honorary chairman of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. A strong advocate of volunteerism, Mrs. Bush helped many causes - including the homeless, the elderly, AIDS, and school volunteer programs.

Today Barbara Bush lives in a home she and her husband built in Houston, Texas, where she enjoys being part of the community. Their children and grandchildren visit them often in Houston and at the family summer home in Kennebunkport, Maine. Devoted to her family, Mrs. Bush has found time to write an autobiography, to serve on the Boards of AmeriCares and the Mayo Clinic, and to continue her prominent role in the Barbara Bush Foundation.