The Heart Truth - First Ladies

The 2005 First Ladies Red Dress Collection featured dresses and suits from seven of America's First Ladies. Rollover the photo for a larger image of each First Lady's garment.

In its third national showing, The Heart Truth's First Ladies Red Dress Collection is featured at the National First Ladies' Library in Canton, Ohio from November 25, 2008 through May 29, 2009, as the centerpiece of the Library's "Caring Hearts: The Health of a Nation" exhibit. As the first and only facility of its kind, the NFLL serves as a unique national resource educating people about the contributions of First Ladies and other notable women in history. Visit www.firstladies.org for more information about this exhibit.

The First Ladies Red Dress Collection features red gowns and suits worn by America's First Ladies who have joined The Heart Truth to raise awareness of the #1 killer of women–heart disease.

In 2007 the Collection was exhibited at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in California with a special unveiling event hosted by Mrs. Nancy Reagan, with Larry King, NHLBI Director Elizabeth G. Nabel, and Entertainment Tonight's Mary Hart. Heart Truth ambassador Mrs. Laura Bush unveiled the original, one-of-a-kind exhibit at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in May 2005, and led a women and heart disease roundtable discussion at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum exhibit in February 2007.

The First Ladies Red Dress Collection on display at the National First Ladies' Library includes dresses, gowns, and suits from:

MRS. LAURA BUSH
First Lady, 2001-2009
Mrs. Bush, the ambassador for The Heart Truth, wore her red embroidered and sequin Oscar de la Renta gown to the Kennedy Center Honors Reception at the White House on December 3, 2006.

SENATOR HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON
First Lady, 1993-2001
Senator Clinton's cashmere mock turtleneck dress designed by Cliff Chally was worn to one of President Clinton's major speeches to a Joint Session of Congress in 1993 and that same year on Valentine's Day.

MRS. BARBARA BUSH
First Lady, 1989-1993
Mrs. Bush's red evening gown with gold floral overlay by designer Arnold Scassi was worn while hosting a White House State Dinner for the President of the Republic of Argentina in 1991.

MRS. NANCY REAGAN
First Lady, 1981-1989
Mrs. Reagan wore her chiffon Valentino gown in July 1986–the night before the Royal Wedding of the Duke and Duchess of York–to a dinner hosted by the U.S. Ambassador to the Court of Saint James, Charles H. Price II , and his wife, Carol.

MRS. ROSALYNN CARTER
First Lady, 1977-1981
Mrs. Carter wore her Lady Bowden-designed double-breasted suit frequently during President Carter's days in The White House.

MRS. BETTY FORD
First Lady, 1974-1977
Mrs. Ford's red crepe Neiman Marcus suit with its flared skirt was one of her favorites, and was worn many times throughout her husband's Presidency.

MRS. CLAUDIA (LADY BIRD) JOHNSON
First Lady, 1963-1969
Mrs. Johnson wore her red evening gown, designed exclusively for her by Mary McFadden, at her 80th birthday celebration at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Press information about the The Heart Truth campaign, can be found in the Media Room.  For additional information about First Ladies Red Dress Collection, including downloadable images and photography, email media@hearttruth.org.  Photos and graphics related to The Heart Truth campaign and its First Ladies Red Dress Collection are also available in the Image Library.