Ladies and Gentlemen, the firsts

Sat Jul 17 23:25:50 UTC 2004

What to call Mr. Shaheen?
Speaking to guests at a house party fundraiser for John Kerry in Brewster
last night, former New Hampshire Gov. Jeanne Shaheen recounted a discussion
she had with her husband, Bill Shaheen, after she was elected in 1996. Both
Shaheens were breaking new ground - she as the Granite State's first female
governor, he as its first male spouse of a governor. So, how now to refer
to Mr. Shaheen? After suggestions of "First Man" and "First Gentleman" were
floated aloud, Bill Shaheen had a better idea, his wife said - "I want to
be First Hunk!"
07/08/2004
http://www.capecodonline.com/cctimes/edits/cctblogs/jc/

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This site makes a clear distinction between First Ladies (wives) and first
women/females in certain offices:
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/1402/frststat.html

Mrs. Nellie Tayloe Ross became the first woman governor in the United States.
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0108293.html

Mrs. Ferguson served as the first lady of Texas during the gubernatorial
terms of her husband (1915-17), who was impeached during his second
administration. When James Ferguson failed to get his name on the ballot in
1924, Miriam entered the race for the Texas governorship.
http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/FF/ffe6.html
[election catchphrase: "Two governors for the price of one!"]

"Miriam "Ma" Ferguson was both first lady and governor (twice) - she was
the first female governor of Texas and the second female governor in the US."
http://austin.about.com/cs/pregnancy/a/babynames.htm

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Patricia Rowland, First Lady of CT, wife of 86th governor, John Rowland:
http://www.ct.gov/governorrowland/cwp/view.asp?a=1329&q=256000

vs. Governor Jodi Rell, 87th Governor of CT and her husband, Mr. Louis Rell
http://www.ct.gov/governorrell/cwp/view.asp?Q=276026&A=1720
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"Feminism encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children,
practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians."
--Rev. Pat Robertson