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Second lady and second gentleman are honorary titles often used in reference to the spouse of a vice president, or spouse of a lieutenant governor or other second-ranked government official.[1][2] The title is styled after first lady or first gentleman, which are used to describe the spouse of a president or governor. In discussing both spouses, they may be referred to as the second couple, and if they have children, they are known collectively as the second family.

The expression "second lady in the land" has also been used to refer to the second-highest ranking female in a monarchy,[3][4] such as a crown princess if there is a queen.[5]

Ghana

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In Ghana, an emoluments committee set up in June 2019 recommended that the spouse of the vice president should receive compensation equivalent to the salary of a cabinet minister-MP, along with the spouse of the president.[6] Although the recommendation was approved by Parliament in 2021, both the first lady and Second Lady Samira Bawumia rejected the proposed payments and promised to refund the allowances they had been paid since 2017, following public backlash against the emoluments.[6] In opposing their monthly salaries, the Trades Union Congress acknowledged the role of the first and second ladies, particularly in supporting women's rights, children's rights, and other causes promoting social and economic development, but stressed that they were not assigned official duties according to the Constitution of Ghana or other national laws.[6]

United States

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Spouse of the vice president

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Main article: Second ladies and gentlemen of the United States

The role of the second lady is unpaid and not formally defined.[7] The wife of the vice president of the United States was traditionally expected to serve as a hostess and appear at society functions.[8][9] As the Office of the Vice President itself gained power and influence, the spouse of the vice president also became more visible. Second Lady Lady Bird Johnson often replaced First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy when she withdrew from public appearances.[10] Pat Nixon, wife of Vice President Richard Nixon, was the first second spouse to add a great deal of substance to the role, traveling independently of the vice president and setting her own event schedule. Historian Kate Andersen Brower wrote, "she helped to define this nebulous role for an entire generation of women who would succeed her."[11] Subsequent second ladies also had their own issues which they advocated, such as education reform and literacy.[12][13]

Usage of title

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Writers including William Safire and Jeff McQuain have suggested that use of the term "second lady" to refer to the wife of the vice president of the United States did not become more commonplace until the 1980s.[14][15] However, in 2017, Washington Post columnist Philip Bump argued that use of the phrase "second lady" could be traced back as early as the 1860s, strengthening in popularity around 1892, and "spiking" around the turn of the 20th century, according to his research using the Google Ngram tool.[15]

In 1996, Tipper Gore wrote that the spouse of the vice president did not have an official title, and that people were often unsure about how to introduce her, saying: "Sometimes they call me the Second Lady. Sometimes they refer to me as the Second First Lady. Once I was even introduced as the Second Lady of Vice."[16] In 2008, when a Fox News host remarked that calling Lynne Cheney the Second Lady of the United States was "weird", Cheney acknowledged, "Well, it is, a little, but it's ok."[17] The abbreviation for the Second Lady of the United States is SLOTUS.[1]

Second gentleman

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In 2021, Merriam-Webster added the term "second gentleman" to its dictionary, in light of Doug Emhoff becoming the first male spouse of an American vice president.[2] Emhoff, who followed Biden's example and started teaching entertainment law at Georgetown University at the same time he assumed his ceremonial role as Second Gentleman of the United States, has acknowledged the many generations of women who had served in the role "without much accolade", and vowed to continue building on "their legacy of progress".[2] The abbreviation for Second Gentleman of the United States is SGOTUS.[1][18]

Spouse of the lieutenant governor

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See also: Lieutenant governor (United States)

At the state level, second lady or second gentleman is used to refer to the spouse of the lieutenant governor. In political fiction, novelist and journalist Jim Lehrer referred to Jackie, wife of fictional Lieutenant Governor "One-Eyed Mack", as the Second Lady of Oklahoma from the late 1980s.[19][20]

In 2020, Second Lady Giselle Fetterman told CNN that she prefers the titular acronym SLOP over the more "stuffy" title of Second Lady of Pennsylvania.[21] Andrew Rosati of Bloomberg News said in 2022 that Fetterman, a former undocumented immigrant to the U.S. from Brazil, has "transformed the ceremonial role of Second Lady of Pennsylvania...into a megaphone for the marginalized".[22]

Other countries

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Spouse of the vice president

[edit]
See also: Vice president § In government

In Brazil, the second lady (Segunda-dama do Brasil), is the wife of the vice president and resides with him at Jaburu's Palace.[23]

In Colombia, the second lady or second gentleman is the equivalent of the spouse or partner of the vice president of Colombia who, together with the vice president, resides in the Vice Presidential House.

In Nigeria, former Second Lady Titi Abubakar, the wife of Vice President Atiku Abubakar (1999–2007), used her role to combat human trafficking.[24] During her tenure, she founded WOTCLEF (Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation), and became the first civilian in Nigerian history to propose draft legislation.[24]

Other uses

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In the United Kingdom, Camilla Parker Bowles was said to become the "second lady in the land", ranking second only to Queen Elizabeth II, upon marrying Charles, Prince of Wales, in 2005.[3] In 1958, The Times noted that the duties of an American second lady at home in Washington, D.C., "have no exact counterpart in England".[25]

In France, Penelope Fillon, the British-born wife of former Prime Minister François Fillon, was nicknamed "France's second lady" in the media.[26] However, France Magazine reported in 2008 that Fillon was trying to play down the role, which had traditionally remained outside the limelight.[26]

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Second lady

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from Grokipedia
The Second Lady of the United States is the informal title held by the of the of the , paralleling the First Lady's role for the President's and lacking any constitutional basis or official authority. The position emerged in the late , with Jennie Hobart, wife of , among the first to publicly adopt the designation while performing hostess duties at the vice presidential residence. Unlike elected offices, it entails no salary, staff allocation by law, or mandated responsibilities, allowing incumbents broad discretion in activities that typically include ceremonial appearances, advocacy for selected causes, and support for the 's public engagements. Historically, Second Ladies have focused on , such as Barbara Bush's promotion of literacy programs or Jill Biden's emphasis on community colleges and military family support during her tenure from 2009 to 2017, though their influence remains peripheral to executive . The role has occasionally drawn for its redundancy in modern governance, with figures like in the 1970s marking early efforts to formalize involvement in arts policy under President Carter, yet it persists as a symbolic adjunct without substantive power. As of 2025, Usha Vance holds the title as of JD Vance, continuing a tradition that includes the precedent-setting Second Gentleman from 2021 to 2025.

Definition and origins

Core definition

The second lady is the informal title accorded to the , usually the , of a or executive in a political . This designation parallels the "" title for the of a or government, carrying ceremonial responsibilities such as public representation, charitable initiatives, and social hosting, but lacking any official governmental authority or salary. The term applies in national contexts like the , where it refers to the vice president's spouse, and , where it denotes the vice president's partner, often involving advocacy on issues like and . While traditionally gendered toward females, adaptations such as "second gentleman" have emerged for male spouses, reflecting changes in spousal roles without altering the title's core function.

Etymology and early usage

The term "second lady" derives by direct analogy to "," denoting the female spouse of a or other second-ranking executive official, with the earliest general attestation appearing in print in 1870. This initial usage, recorded in the , predates its application to political spouses but establishes the phrase's linguistic foundation as a hierarchical counterpart to the presidential consort's title. The title's political connotation emerged in the United States during the late 19th century, when Jennie Tuttle Hobart, wife of Vice President Garret A. Hobart (serving 1897–1899 under President ), self-identified as "Second Lady" while fulfilling hostess responsibilities. With Ida McKinley incapacitated by and other health issues, Hobart hosted events and managed social duties at the Hobarts' Lafayette Square residence, prompting her adoption of the term to signify her supportive role. Following Hobart's tenure—cut short by her husband's death in office in November 1899—the designation lapsed into obscurity for much of the , with vice-presidential spouses more often referred to simply as the "wife of the " or by their personal names in official contexts. It regained prominence only in the , amid increased media attention to the role's ceremonial functions, though no single event is credited with its widespread revival. In jurisdictions outside the U.S., such as , the term appears to have been adopted later, mirroring American conventions without documented independent etymological development prior to the mid-20th century.

Usage in Ghana

Historical context and role

The title of Second Lady of Ghana denotes the of the , an informal designation that emerged alongside the Vice Presidency upon the commencement of the Fourth Republic on January 7, 1993, under the 1992 Constitution. The Constitution establishes the Vice President's office with defined powers, such as assisting the President and assuming the presidency in cases of vacancy, but it omits any provision for the spouse's role, rendering the position unofficial and without legal entitlements or assigned duties. This absence was highlighted in public discourse and legal challenges, including petitions to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice asserting that allowances to Second Ladies since 2000 lack constitutional basis, as the role entails no statutory responsibilities. Historically, the role has functioned in a ceremonial capacity, centered on representational functions like attending state events, supporting national charities, and providing personal assistance to the , without direct influence over policy or governance. Early holders of the title, during the tenures of Vice Presidents such as (1993–1997), operated with minimal public visibility, adhering to traditional expectations of spousal support amid Ghana's evolving democratic institutions. The reinforced this informality in 2024 by ruling that Second Ladies are not public office holders eligible for Article 71 ex-gratia benefits, as their activities do not constitute formal public service. Over time, the position's scope expanded modestly through individual initiatives, though it remained unconstrained by law; for instance, former Second Lady Matilda Amissah-Arthur (2012–2017) publicly urged constitutional clarification of duties in 2019 to address ambiguities in expectations and resources. Subsequent figures, like (2017–2025), extended engagement into advocacy for women's and child welfare, marking a shift toward greater proactive involvement while still operating outside official frameworks. This evolution reflects broader societal changes but has prompted debates on formalization, with critics noting the risk of blurring lines between personal and public roles absent legal boundaries.

Usage in the United States

Spouse of the Vice President

The spouse of the Vice President of the bears the informal title of Second Lady if female or Second Gentleman if male, a designation paralleling the or First Gentleman but with no constitutional or statutory authority. This role emerged as the vice presidency gained prominence, particularly after the , when vice presidents assumed more substantive duties beyond ceremonial functions. Historically, second spouses have focused on hosting events at the vice presidential residence, supporting charitable causes, and advancing personal initiatives, often without dedicated federal funding until the late 1970s.

Title evolution and application

The title "Second Lady" originated in the late , first publicly applied by Jennie Tuttle Hobart, wife of Garret A. Hobart (1897–1899), who assumed hosting responsibilities at the during First Lady Ida McKinley's prolonged illness from and other ailments. Hobart hosted numerous events from the family's leased home at 21 Lafayette Square, effectively filling a supportive social role amid the McKinleys' limited capacity for public duties. The term fell into disuse for decades thereafter, with vice presidential spouses often referred to simply as "the Vice President's wife," reflecting the office's marginal status until reforms like the 25th Amendment (1967) elevated the vice presidency. It regained currency in the 1980s, coinciding with expanded vice presidential influence under presidents like , when second ladies such as received formal office space in the and minimal staff support authorized by in 1978 for vice presidential operations. Application remains unofficial, applied consistently since the 1980s to denote the spouse's ceremonial position, though second ladies like (2009–2017) continued professional careers, such as teaching, underscoring the role's flexibility.

Second gentleman adaptation

The title "Second Gentleman" was adapted for the first time in 2021 for Douglas Emhoff, husband of (2021–2025), marking a gender-neutral evolution to accommodate a male spouse without precedent in U.S. history. Emhoff, a former entertainment lawyer, retained a part-time teaching position at while focusing on advocacy against , support for Jewish communities, and promoting fathers' involvement in child-rearing, traveling to 37 states and 14 countries to advance administration priorities. This adaptation mirrored discussions on spousal titles for female presidents, with "First Gentleman" proposed analogously, though no formal codification exists; Emhoff's role emphasized continuity in ceremonial duties like event hosting while highlighting equity issues, without relinquishing prior professional ties.

Duties, initiatives, and influence

Second spouses lack defined constitutional duties, serving primarily as unofficial hostesses for vice presidential events and advocates for selected causes, with influence varying by individual initiative and the vice presidency's stature. Early examples include Floride Calhoun (1825–1832), who convened social circles excluding figures like Margaret Eaton, precipitating the Petticoat Affair and Vice President John C. Calhoun's 1832 resignation amid cabinet fractures. By the mid-20th century, Patricia Nixon (1953–1961) expanded the role through independent travel to 53 countries, visiting hospitals, schools, and orphanages to promote U.S. goodwill, often without her husband. Joan Mondale (1977–1981) championed the arts, establishing the Vice President's Residence as a cultural venue and advising on federal arts policy. Modern second ladies pursued education and health initiatives: Jill Biden advocated for community colleges, launching the Joining Forces program for military families in 2011, while Karen Pence (2017–2021) promoted art therapy and special needs education as an artist and former teacher. Influence derives from personal networks rather than authority, with second spouses convening groups like the Senate Wives Red Cross (from 1917) or hosting over 1,192 events as Barbara Bush did (1981–1989), traveling 1.3 million miles.

Notable figures and achievements

Muriel Humphrey (1965–1969), wife of Hubert Humphrey, provided key political counsel and later became the first Second Lady elected to the U.S. Senate in 1978, serving six months after her husband's death. Betty Ford (1973–1974) elevated visibility by addressing breast cancer awareness and women's rights post-assassination attempt on her husband, candidly discussing her health struggles and alcoholism recovery, which normalized such disclosures. As of October 2025, Usha Vance, wife of Vice President J.D. Vance (2025–present), holds the role as the first of Indian, Telugu, Asian American, and Hindu descent, focusing on family privacy and selective public engagements amid her background in law and clerkships. These figures' achievements—spanning advocacy, travel, and policy input—stem from leveraging the position's access, though constrained by its secondary status to the First Lady.

Criticisms, controversies, and gender debates

The Second Lady role has drawn limited systemic criticism, primarily for its undefined scope and potential subordination to spousal duties, with historical frictions like the illustrating social influence sparking political rifts. Gender debates intensified with Emhoff's tenure, questioning patriarchal title norms—"" implying —and prompting parallels to "First Gentleman" for a hypothetical female president, though Emhoff embraced the adaptation without altering core functions. Modern critiques, often partisan, target visibility or alignment, such as media speculation on Usha Vance's low profile or past liberal affiliations, but these reflect broader political biases rather than role-specific flaws; empirical data shows second spouses averaging fewer public events than First Ladies, underscoring the position's ceremonial limits. No formal gender quotas or mandates apply, and adaptations like Emhoff's demonstrate pragmatic evolution over ideological overhaul.

Title evolution and application

The title "Second Lady of the United States" originated in the late 19th century, with its first public usage applied to Jennie Tuttle Hobart, wife of Vice President Garret A. Hobart, who served from March 4, 1897, to November 21, 1899. During this period, Hobart stepped in to perform White House hostess duties amid First Lady Ida McKinley's ongoing health issues, marking an early instance of the spouse assuming visible public responsibilities analogous to those of the president's wife. After this initial application, the title entered a phase of sporadic and limited use, often overshadowed by simpler designations such as "Mrs. Vice President." Vice presidential spouses through the early , including figures like (wife of Vice President , 1825–1832), engaged in social and political activities but without consistent invocation of the "Second Lady" or expanded formal roles; their public involvement remained constrained, primarily to informal support for their husbands and occasional group efforts like the Senate Wives' Red Cross organization formed in 1917. The title's revival and broader application began in the mid-20th century, coinciding with increased visibility for vice presidential spouses. Patricia Ryan Nixon, wife of (1953–1961), elevated the role through independent international travels and public engagements, helping normalize the position's prominence. This momentum continued with Muriel Humphrey, spouse of Hubert Humphrey (1965–1969), who provided direct counsel to her husband on policy matters. By the late 1970s, the title achieved greater institutional recognition under Joan Adams Mondale, wife of (1977–1981), who championed arts initiatives and benefited from the first federal funding authorization for a second spouse's office in 1978. During the , the "Second Lady" became a standard, established component of the vice president's operational team, with spouses like (1981–1989) leveraging it for advocacy on literacy and family issues, though the role remained unofficial and without statutory definition. In contemporary application, the title denotes the vice president's spouse's informal ceremonial and supportive functions, including hosting events at the vice presidential residence ( since 1974), advancing personal causes aligned with administration priorities, and maintaining professional independence where feasible—such as Jill Biden's continued teaching career from 2009 to 2017. Unlike the , it carries no dedicated staff or budget beyond support, reflecting its evolution from usage to a recognized but non-binding .

Second gentleman adaptation

The title of Second Gentleman emerged as a direct adaptation of the longstanding "Second Lady" designation to accommodate a male spouse of the of the United States, marking a departure from the exclusively female precedents spanning over two centuries. This shift occurred on January 20, 2021, when Douglas Emhoff, husband of Kamala , assumed the role as the first individual to hold the title. Prior to Emhoff, all 48 spouses of U.S. vice presidents had been women, rendering the male equivalent unprecedented at the federal level. The adaptation mirrored the informal, gender-specific structure of the Second Lady title—itself an unofficial without statutory basis or defined duties—while inverting the gender terminology for parallelism. Emhoff's designation as "Second Gentleman of the " (SGOTUS) was formalized in official communications and public usage from the outset of the Harris administration, emphasizing continuity in the spousal role's ceremonial and supportive functions despite the gender change. The term quickly gained institutional recognition, with adding "second gentleman" to its dictionary on January 28, 2021, explicitly referencing Emhoff's position as the inaugural example. Unlike state-level precedents where "first gentleman" has occasionally described male gubernatorial spouses (e.g., in cases like during Hillary Clinton's brief 1993 nomination or Douglas Wilder’s wife in ), no analogous federal vice-presidential title existed before 2021, necessitating the novel application. Emhoff's role concluded on January 20, 2025, upon the end of Harris's vice presidency, reverting the position to a female Second Lady under the subsequent administration. This adaptation underscored the title's flexibility to reflect the officeholder's spousal gender without altering its informal, non-constitutional status.

Duties, initiatives, and influence

The Second Lady of the holds no constitutional or statutory duties, with the role functioning primarily as ceremonial, supportive, and voluntary in nature. Unlike the , the spouse receives no salary and faces no mandated responsibilities, allowing flexibility in engagement levels. Activities generally encompass hosting official receptions and social events at the Naval Observatory, the ; accompanying the on official travels; and participating in protocol events, such as convening luncheons for spouses, a tradition dating to at least 1917 with the Red Cross Senate Wives group. Since 1978, Congress has authorized federal funding to cover administrative costs for duties that aid the Vice President, including an office suite in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building equipped with up to three staff members—a chief of staff, communications director, and policy aide—to handle scheduling, events, and outreach. This support enables Second Ladies to pursue advocacy without direct executive power, often focusing on social issues through speeches, visits, and partnerships. For example, Barbara Bush, serving from 1981 to 1989, hosted 1,192 events and logged 1.3 million miles in travel while prioritizing literacy, launching the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy on March 6, 1989, which has since granted over $50 million to family literacy programs nationwide. Initiatives remain personalized and non-binding, varying by individual priorities and often building on pre-existing interests. , Second Lady from 2009 to 2017, co-chaired the campaign with starting in 2011 to bolster military families' access to , , and wellness services; she also hosted the inaugural White House Summit on Community Colleges in October 2010 and led a 2012 Community College to Career tour across six states to promote workforce training partnerships, all while maintaining her full-time teaching position at . Other examples include Joan Mondale's (1977–1981) appointment as honorary chair of the Federal Council on the Arts and Humanities, enabling congressional testimony on . Influence derives from soft power rather than authority, manifesting through public platforms to raise awareness, forge alliances with nonprofits or federal agencies, and occasionally testify before , though outcomes depend on alignment with administration priorities and personal networks. This secondary status limits systemic impact compared to the , with effectiveness tied to the Second Lady's visibility and cause selection—evident in Barbara Bush's elevation of literacy from a niche concern to a national dialogue via her foundation's grants—or Jill Biden's extension of the Biden Breast Health Initiative, which by 2017 had educated over 10,000 Delaware high school students on early detection since its 1993 founding. Historical variability underscores the role's adaptability, as some Second Ladies, like (1965–1969), leveraged it for later political careers, including her 1978 U.S. appointment.

Notable figures and achievements

Several second ladies have advanced social causes through public advocacy, hosting, and policy influence during their tenures. , serving from 1977 to 1981, chaired the Federal Council on the Arts and Humanities, filled the vice presidential residence with loaned artworks from the to showcase American creativity, and earned the nickname "Joan of Art" for her efforts to integrate fine arts into political life. Barbara Bush, second lady from 1981 to 1989, hosted 1,192 events at the vice presidential residence and traveled 1.3 million miles domestically and abroad to promote literacy programs, establishing family literacy as a core focus by partnering with organizations to support adult and child reading initiatives. Tipper Gore, from 1993 to 2001, advised on policy for the administration's task force, testified before on and family support services, and co-chaired the "America Goes Back to School" initiative to boost parental involvement in education. Lynne , second lady from 2001 to 2009, authored books on the U.S. Constitution and children's history to foster civic , continued research at the , and advocated for improved teaching of American heritage in schools. Jill , serving from 2009 to 2017, maintained her career as an English professor at —the first second lady to hold a paying job outside the —while co-launching the initiative with First Lady to support military families through employment and programs, and hosting the 2012 White House Summit on Community Colleges to expand access to workforce training. Karen Pence, from 2017 to 2021, advanced art therapy as a mental health tool by partnering with the American Art Therapy Association to train providers and integrate it into VA programs for veterans, taught elementary art classes part-time, and supported military spouse employment through occupational licensing reform efforts.

Criticisms, controversies, and gender debates

The tenure of Karen Pence as Second Lady from 2017 to 2021 drew significant controversy in January 2019 when she joined the faculty of Immanuel Christian School in Springfield, Virginia, as a part-time art teacher; the evangelical institution's employment and admissions policies affirm that sexual activity is permissible only within heterosexual marriage and bar LGBTQ individuals from staff or student roles based on statements of faith. Advocacy groups and media reports highlighted the policies as discriminatory, prompting accusations that Pence's affiliation endorsed exclusionary practices amid her public role. Vice President Mike Pence rebutted the outcry as "deeply offensive" to religious liberty, arguing it exemplified broader assaults on faith-based education in America. Supporters, including Senator Ben Sasse, defended the decision as consistent with private institutional rights, while critics from outlets like HuffPost framed it as inconsistent with inclusive public service. Jill Biden's service as Second Lady from 2009 to 2017 elicited debate over her continued academic career, including teaching English composition at , which she maintained for pay despite the unpaid ceremonial role; proponents viewed this as a model of work-life balance, but some conservative commentators questioned the propriety of taxpayer-funded security accompanying her professional duties. Her preference for the title "Dr. Jill Biden" based on her 2007 Ed.D. from the also sparked partisan pushback, with outlets like critiquing it as an overreach for a in , though Biden's office emphasized professional credentials over protocol. Gender debates surrounding the Second Lady title intensified with the 2021 inauguration of Douglas Emhoff as the first Second Gentleman, spouse of Vice President Kamala Harris, prompting discussions on whether gendered honorifics reinforce traditional spousal hierarchies or necessitate neutral alternatives like "Vice Presidential Spouse." Emhoff's role emphasized male advocacy for gender equity, including speeches on combating antisemitism and supporting women's economic participation, which some analyses portrayed as subverting stereotypes of supportive wives in politics. Commentators, including in academic open letters, advised against Emhoff merely replicating "women's work" in the position, urging innovation to align with evolving norms of partnership equality. The adaptation faced minimal formal opposition but highlighted causal tensions between ceremonial tradition—rooted in 19th-century precedents—and empirical shifts toward spousal autonomy, with no constitutional mandate for the title allowing flexible usage. In the context of Usha Vance's designation as Second Lady following the 2024 election, early criticisms included unsubstantiated remarks by former Biden administration official Jen Psaki in October 2025 implying Vance's deference to husband JD Vance echoed domestic coercion, which Vice President Vance labeled "disgraceful" and prompted backlash for personalizing political roles. Fringe elements within Trump-supporting circles also leveled ethnically charged attacks on Vance's Hindu heritage, underscoring vulnerabilities to identity-based scrutiny in the unelected position. These incidents reflect ongoing tensions over spousal influence, though empirical data on Second Ladies' impact remains limited to anecdotal initiatives rather than measurable policy outcomes.

Spouse of the Lieutenant Governor

In certain U.S. states, the of the lieutenant is informally referred to as the "second lady" of the state, paralleling the federal title for the vice president's but without any statutory basis or uniform adoption across the 45 states with lieutenant governors. This usage emerged as an extension of state-level protocol where the 's holds the title of "," positioning the lieutenant governor's second in the executive hierarchy for ceremonial purposes. The title carries no official duties, salary, staff, or residence, distinguishing it sharply from the federal ; spouses typically volunteer time for events alongside their partner or advance personal causes without state . Notable examples include Pennsylvania, where Gisele Barreto Fetterman served as second lady from 2019 to 2023 during her husband John Fetterman's tenure, focusing on initiatives like food insecurity and immigrant support through nonprofits such as Freestore 15104. Her successor, Blayre Holmes Davis, wife of Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis since 2023, has been officially designated second lady on state government pages and engaged in community relations, including workforce development and Steelers community outreach as director for the Pittsburgh Steelers. In New York, Lacey Schwartz Delgado holds the title as wife of Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, though her public role remains limited to occasional advocacy tied to her documentary filmmaking background. North Carolina provides another instance, with Yolanda Hill Robinson as second lady from 2021 to 2025 under Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson, participating in educational visits and family-focused events. The title's application varies by state and the prominence of the lieutenant governor's office, which ranges from ceremonial (e.g., senate president pro tempore) to substantive powers in states like or . Spouses may face public scrutiny, as seen in incidents involving racial slurs directed at Gisele Fetterman in 2020, which she documented but declined to prosecute. Unlike federal second ladies, state counterparts lack historical precedents for influence or controversy at scale, with roles confined to unpaid, discretionary support that ends upon the lieutenant governor's term conclusion or .

Usage in other countries

Brazil

In Brazil, the of the is designated as the segunda-dama do Brasil (Second Lady of Brazil), a title analogous to the primeira-dama held by the president's . This role, while unofficial and ceremonial, entails accompanying the in official capacities, supporting social and charitable causes, and representing in select diplomatic and public events. The current second lady is Maria Lúcia Guimarães Ribeiro Alckmin, commonly known as Lu Alckmin, aged 72 as of January 2023, who assumed the position on January 1, 2023, following her husband Geraldo Alckmin's inauguration as the 26th vice president. Alckmin maintains a low-profile routine, emphasizing grounded social initiatives over media attention, including plans for a national network of charitable actions focused on aiding vulnerable populations. Her activities contrast with higher-visibility first ladies, prioritizing direct community support drawn from her prior experience as São Paulo state's first lady during her husband's governorships from 2001–2006 and 2011–2018. Predecessors in the role, such as (wife of former vice president and president , serving as second lady from 2011 to 2016), have similarly focused on subdued public engagements, with some ascending to upon their husband's elevation to the presidency. The position's influence remains secondary to the vice presidency itself, often involving residence at the Palácio do Jaburu in and participation in international goodwill visits, as evidenced by Alckmin's 2025 trip to to strengthen cultural ties. Unlike more politicized spousal roles elsewhere, Brazilian second ladies typically avoid partisan advocacy or electoral ambitions, with Alckmin explicitly denying interest in candidacy.

Additional national examples

In the , the spouse of the is informally titled the Second Lady or Second Gentleman, an honorary role without official duties or remuneration but often involving charitable and ceremonial activities. Loi Ejercito Estrada held the title during her husband Joseph Estrada's vice presidency from 1992 to 1998, focusing on health-related initiatives as a physician. served as Second Lady from June 30, 2010, to June 30, 2016, while her husband was , during which she supported family-oriented social programs amid ongoing political scrutiny of the Binay family. In , the spouse of the is known as the segunda dama (second lady) or equivalent for a second gentleman, a protocolary position centered on accompanying the vice president in official events and promoting social causes such as and . Luz María Mantilla was referred to as the second lady during Angelino Garzón's vice presidency from 2010 to 2014, though public confusion arose in media reports distinguishing her from unrelated individuals sharing her name. The role remains unofficial, with influence varying by administration; for instance, under female vice presidents like (2018–2022), the title adapts to the spouse's gender without formal protocol changes.

References

  1. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/second-lady
  2. https://www.whitehousehistory.org/second-spouses
  3. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/women-s-studies-and-feminism/second-ladies-and-gentlemen-united-states
  4. https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/administration/jill-biden
  5. https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/usha-vance/
  6. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/second-lady
  7. https://www.ghanaweb.com/person/Samira-Bawumia-2926
  8. https://www.oed.com/dictionary/second-lady_n
  9. https://chraj.gov.gh/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/CHRAJ-petitioned-over-allowances-paid-to-wives-of-Presidents-and-Veeps-since-2000.pdf
  10. https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Why-Supreme-Court-ruled-1st-and-2nd-ladies-are-not-eligible-for-ex-gratia-salaries-Justice-Sai-explains-1927857
  11. https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Roles-of-First-and-Second-Ladies-must-be-clearly-defined-in-constitution-Matilda-Amissah-Arthur-760302
  12. https://www.modernghana.com/news/1395885/samira-bawumia-substantially-re-defined-second.html
  13. https://www.thevoicelessonline.com/article/670
  14. https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/administration/douglas-emhoff/
  15. https://www.law.georgetown.edu/news/in-fireside-chat-doug-emhoff-reflects-on-time-as-second-gentleman-and-lessons-from-legal-practice/
  16. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/douglas-emhoff-second-gentleman/
  17. https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/people/karen-pence/
  18. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c897483zpyeo
  19. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/20/us/politics/doug-emhoff-kamala-harris-second-gentleman.html
  20. https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/28/politics/doug-emhoff-dictionary-second-gentleman
  21. https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/3093881/who-is-second-gentleman-doug-emhoff/
  22. https://www.barbarabush.org/about-us/
  23. https://www.enbridge.com/stories/2018/may/barbara-bush-houston-literacy-foundation-celebration-of-reading
  24. https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/04/us/joan-mondale-former-2nd-lady-dies-at-age-83.html
  25. https://www.whitehousehistory.org/bios/barbara-bush
  26. https://clintonwhitehouse3.archives.gov/WH/EOP/VP_Wife/megbio.html
  27. https://womeninwisconsin.org/profile/lynne-cheney/
  28. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/16/us/politics/karen-pence-school-lgbt-ban.html
  29. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-46898143
  30. https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/01/18/pence-says-criticism-wifes-job-anti-lgbt-christian-school-is-deeply-offensive-us/
  31. https://www.newsweek.com/republican-senator-karen-pence-teaching-job-lgbt-students-1297624
  32. https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/04/opinions/jill-biden-first-ladies-history-brower
  33. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/12/28/first-ladies-and-second-gentlemen
  34. https://www.npr.org/2020/11/25/938133209/poised-to-be-americas-1st-second-gentleman-doug-emhoff-shakes-up-gender-stereoty
  35. https://19thnews.org/2022/08/doug-emhoff-second-gentleman-women-gender-equity/
  36. https://www.bu.edu/articles/2021/pov-an-open-letter-to-doug-emhoff/
  37. https://www.georgetown.edu/news/second-gentleman-says-gender-equity-a-policy-priority-for-biden-harris-administration-at-forum/
  38. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/vance-calls-psaki-comments-about-wife-usha-disgraceful
  39. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/maga-launches-racist-attack-hindu-faith/articleshow/117474411.cms
  40. https://www.formsofaddress.info/lieutenant-governor_spouse/
  41. https://www.pa.gov/ltgovernor/second-lady-blayre-holmes-davis
  42. https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/13/us/gisele-fetterman-bio
  43. https://wjactv.com/news/local/lt-gov-davis-and-second-lady-discuss-new-investments-in-childcare-workforce
  44. https://www.facebook.com/LtGovRobinson/posts/today-second-lady-yolanda-robinson-visited-with-students-at-holly-springs-elemen/282647923992084/
  45. https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/15/us/pennsylvania-fetterman-woman-racial-slur
  46. https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/no-charges-over-slur-aimed-at-pennsylvanias-second-lady-police-say/2564754/
  47. https://noticias.uol.com.br/politica/ultimas-noticias/2023/01/07/segunda-dama-do-brasil-o-que-lu-alckmin-faz-da-vida.htm
  48. https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/politica/sem-holofotes-e-pe-no-chao-conheca-a-rotina-da-segunda-dama-do-brasil/
  49. https://veja.abril.com.br/politica/a-rotina-da-segunda-dama-lu-alckmin-em-brasilia/
  50. https://tab.uol.com.br/noticias/redacao/2023/09/27/segunda-dama-com-ares-de-primeira-lu-alckmin-cumpre-agenda-social-no-df.htm
  51. https://kids.kiddle.co/Marcela_Temer
  52. https://fmino.gov.ng/nigeria-brazil-bonded-by-strong-cultural-ties-nana-shettima-tells-brazilian-second-lady/
  53. https://www.radiopampa.com.br/discreta-segunda-dama-do-brasil-contrasta-estilo-janja-e-evita-tratar-de-temas-polemicos-como-mulher-de-lula-e-nega-entrar-na-politica-nunca-serei-candidata/
  54. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/things-to-know-philippines-presidential-spouses/
  55. https://topicalphilippines.com/People_Individuals/page250.html
  56. https://www.semana.com/no-era-la-de-verdad/434419-3/
  57. https://www.concordia.net/community/marta-lucia-ramirez/?lang=es
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