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a just released book, Lady in Red, Sheila Tate tells
how Nancy Reagan was referred to as The Dragon Lady and seen
as cold, snobbish, and standoffish. But, in fact, she was
actually just the opposite.
Tate, who was the former First Lady’s Press Secretary
for the first four years of the administration, describes
Nancy as reserved, thoughtful, and soft-spoken, with a great
sense of humor. She noted, “Nancy and I became close
personal friends after I left the White House. At her Memorial
Service, many people came up to me and said, ‘we wish
others saw her like we did.’ This planted a seed and
the result is this book.”
There are a lot of similarities between her and another First
Lady, Jackie Kennedy. Both had grace, a strong sense of humor
that was not seen very often publicly, and were criticized
for their expensive wardrobe. Tate tells of how Jackie wrote
Nancy a letter shortly after Ronald Reagan was elected President.
“Jackie was one of the first people to call Nancy after
the election to give her the benefit of her experience. After
that private meeting, both met several more times and Nancy
told of how much she appreciated what Jackie did. I think
they really liked each other. Compare that to when the Clintons
were elected. Nancy reached out to Hillary, writing her a
personal note and offering to help the new First Lady in any
way she could. Nancy told me Hillary never even responded
and said she would have absolutely no use for her after that.”
One of the best recollections in the book is when Nancy brought
the media elite to their feet. “I wanted to write this
because it describes Nancy’s ability to make fun of
herself with such a great sense of humor. She changed her
image overnight with her surprise appearance on stage at the
Gridiron Club. It hosts an annual dinner where various members
of the press and elected officials have skits and speeches
that usually make fun of people. I knew Nancy was going to
be the target and they were going to hammer her. The reporters
were going to sing a song mocking her as they changed the
lyrics to ‘Second Hand Rose.’ Some of the words,
‘I never wear a rock more than just once. I sure miss
Rodeo Drive. We’re living like kings. So what if Ronnie’s
cutting back on welfare.’ I suggested she dress up as
someone with no taste in fashion and we keep it a secret from
most everyone including the President. She was all in to come
onstage and sing our own version. As applause for the press
started, Nancy came onstage behind a rack of clothes. She
is wearing plaids and stripes, colors that do not match, a
raggedy hat and rubber boots, mismatched and ill-fitting clothes.
Some of the words she sang, ‘Even my new trench coat
with fur collar, Ronnie bought for ten cents on the dollar.
Second hand gowns, And old hand-me downs.’ She rehearsed
that constantly even keeping President Reagan from knowing.
After she finished there was the demand for an encore in which
she obliged. She was just masterful. The President was so
excited and laughed heartily.”
Another comparison is how Jackie and Nancy were defacto diplomats.
Most everyone remembers the famous line by JFK about Jackie
while in Paris, “I am the man who accompanied Jacqueline
Kennedy to Paris, and I enjoyed it.” But many do not
know of the line by Premier Deng Xiaoping when the Reagans
traveled to China. Tate recalls, “He actually flirted
with her, inviting her to return to visit again, but without
President Reagan. He also thanked her personally for launching
a campaign where children across the US collected and sent
pennies to her for the Chinese Pandas. The children’s
contribution went toward buying bamboo, which was in short
supply in China.”
Nancy Reagan was one of the first to use her power to make
an impact on an issue important to her. A book quote explains,
“Once a First Lady recognizes her power to influence
opinions she learns to draw her audience in and, before they
know it, make them her allies.” She had a deep commitment
to ending drug abuse and refused the staff suggestions to
pursue an alternative. Tate noted, “Her answer, ‘if
I am going to pursue something four to eight years, it has
to be something I care about.’ I think after a dear
friend lost a daughter to drugs she took up the mantle. She
took the spotlight that shined on her and turned it around
to have it shine on this issue. It was important to Nancy
to try and prevent young children from experimenting with
drugs. She did not stop here but enlisted the First Ladies
help around the globe. They attended a conference together
in Atlanta Georgia and met again at the United Nations.”
Anyone reading this book will see the other side of Nancy
Reagan. She was not only a loving wife but also a First Lady
who made an impact. She even gained the respect of many in
the White House press corps. This book is a glimpse into the
life of a complicated woman who had much more depth and grace
than she was ever given credit for.
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