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The famous among us inspire those who look up to them, to emulate their actions, attitudes and, in some cases, even their presentation. As a child I wanted to select heroes and sheroes who might guide me by their example to become the best I could be. I wanted to learn what attributes and behaviors enabled them to become admired and famous. I never dreamed my intention would lead this little girl from the South to meetings with four chosen to lead our country and one girl who knew she could.
“Hello, Mr. President. Thank you for having us at your home.” 1954 and there I was with 96 other girls, the summer before our senior year in high school. We were dressed in our best 50’s attire, hats, gloves, cotton conservative suits and dresses, ready to meet President Eisenhower and his wife, Mamie. I was excited; I really did like Ike! He and Mamie were warm and charming like nice, loving grandparents. They looked just like the photos I had seen of them that year. I was hoping Mamie’s hair-do would be different—it wasn’t.
As one of two girls selected to represent Mississippi to attend “Girl’s Nation” for a week at American University in Washington DC, our job was to meet the President, hear speeches by some of our countries most notable leaders, one of whom was John Foster Dulles. We were to elect a President among the girls attending the conference (two from each of the 48 states) and then go to the Capitol to see where and how our country is governed.
Jerolyn Ross, from Meridian, and I, from Jackson, were chosen at Mississippi’s Girl’s State to go to D.C., and though we were an atypical pair, we became immediate friends. Jerolyn was extraordinarily bright and quite savvy about the law as her father was an attorney. She was 5’9” tall, a beautiful girl with a brilliant smile, smooth black hair, flashing dark eyes and a winning personality. I was 5’ 4” with hazel eyes, frizzy, naturally curly hair, and I weighed a little over a hundred pounds.
We were sent to DC by train. Jerolyn and I had our own private compartment and lots of time to get to know each other. Before our arrival, Jerolyn turned to me and seriously asked, “Betty, do you think I should be President?” I was so shocked at this kind of confidence I could hardly get the words out. I’m afraid I stuttered when I replied, “Oh yes, do that!”
Jerolyn was elected President of Girl’s Nation and she selected Marilyn Van Derbur from Colorado, who later became Miss America in 1958, as her Vice President. The President of Boy’s Nation that summer was also a delegate from Mississippi and when we all returned to Jackson, we were honored with parades and celebratory dinners. Meeting with President Eisenhower led to a life-long friendship with Jerolyn and an abundance of exciting events for me.
Jerolyn told me later she had plans to become President of the United States. Had she not been taken by cancer at fifty, she may well have done that too.
My only meeting with President Ronald Reagan was while he was Governor of California. My husband and I were eating dinner at a well know restaurant in Santa Ynez, California when the Governor and Nancy Reagan walked by our table. They stopped and chatted with us as though we were good friends. My impression of the future President was of an authentically real and humble man who genuinely liked people.
The day I met Jimmy Carter was a gorgeous day at the beautiful home of Betty J. Stephens in Santa Barbara, California. It was a relatively small crowd so each of us had the opportunity of meeting and talking with President Carter and his wife Rosalynn. Ms. Stephen’s home overlooks the Pacific Ocean; it was on the patio that I met the President. We looked into each other’s eyes and both of us began to giggle! In spite of this seemingly giddy moment, my impression was profoundly spiritual. It was like recognition, as though we had known each other for years. I finally made my introduction and never will forget the preamble to it!
The first time I met President Clinton was at an event in a lovely home in Los Angeles. We have a long-term friendship with Santa Barbara Congresswoman, Lois Capps and her daughter Laura, who are good friends with the Clintons. Because of these relationships, it was easy to meet and speak with the President. He was bigger, more attractive, and even more charismatic in person than he is on television. My husband, an attorney and artist, did a sketch of him and the President graciously autographed it. Though this first meeting was special, it was the next meeting with him that was remarkable for me. Clinton was leaving his office after his second term and was trying to decide what he would do with the rest of his life. There were many suggestions and ideas he was supposedly considering. I had wanted him to have a TV political talk show with liberals and conservatives giving their opinions, rather than arguing, on important topics of the day. The President, as facilitator, would end each discussion with his thoughts on how the issues might best be handled. Again I was going to hear him speak at the home of Betty J. Stephens, where I had met Jimmy Carter. I typed my idea in an email form to take along with me. After his presentation, there were so many people waiting in line to meet him that I folded my note paper and placed it in my right palm. After we shook hands, he deftly slipped it into his pocket.
Naturally I was thrilled, hoping he might use my suggestion. Less than one month later, I received a letter with a golden eagle seal at the top dated, September 12, 2002. It says: “Dear Betty, Thank you for your recent email and for sharing your ideas. I will not be hosting a talk show in the immediate future, but I appreciate your suggestions. Thank you for taking the time to write. Sincerely, Bill Clinton.” I have not framed it; but I will.
Perhaps there will be another opportunity for me to meet a President of the United States. He will impress me with his physical presentation, his performance and his personality—I’m sure. I intend to meet our newly elected President, Barack Obama, and hope I have eight years in which to do it. What I learned from the Presidents above is the importance of charm from Eisenhower, self-confidence from Jerolyn, authenticity from Reagan, spirituality from Carter, and presence from Clinton. Even though I’ve yet to meet, Obama, when I do, I will experience an individual who embodies all of the above with intelligence and a passion to make our world more civil, respectful and peaceful.
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