Interesting facts about pat nixon
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Thelma "Pat" Nixon
"I know a lot, but you have to keep it to yourself when you're in this position." As First Lady, Thelma "Pat" Ryan Nixon generally kept both her opinions and her activities to herself, especially where the press was concerned. That silence led many to refer to her as "Plastic Pat," a woman whose smile seemed forever fixed on a face that rarely expressed ideas or emotions.
But such a nickname overlooks the strong political opinions Pat Nixon expressed on particular issues. She responded to questions about the Vietnam War without evasion, publicly supported the Equal Rights Amendment and the appointment of women to Supreme Court vacancies, believed that abortion was a "private decision," and supported the goal of the Women's National Political Caucus of getting more women elected to government positions, regardless of their party affiliation.
The First Lady also expressed a genuine concern for people. On a return trip from California to the White House, Pat learned of a flash flood in South Dakota that had killed two hundred people, amending
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Pat Nixon
Pat Nixon | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 1972 | |
| In role January 20, 1969 – August 9, 1974 | |
| President | Richard Nixon |
| Preceded by | Lady Bird Johnson |
| Succeeded by | Betty Ford |
| In role January 20, 1953 – January 20, 1961 | |
| Vice President | Richard Nixon |
| Preceded by | Jane Barkley |
| Succeeded by | Lady Bird Johnson |
| Born | Thelma Catherine Ryan (1912-03-16)March 16, 1912 Ely, Nevada, U.S. |
| Died | June 22, 1993(1993-06-22) (aged 81) Park Ridge, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Resting place | Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | |
| Education | Fullerton College University of Southern California (BS) |
| Signature | |
Patricia Ryan Nixon (March 16, 1912 – June 22, 1993) was an American educator who was the first lady of the United States from 1969 to 1974 as the wife of the 37th president of the United States, Richard Nixon. Before becoming first lady, she was the second lady of the United States 1953 to 1961 when her husband was vice president.
Biography
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Pat Ryan Nixon was a truly remarkable First Lady who brought warmth and kindness wherever she went. She was the first First Lady to earn a graduate degree and is one of only five First Ladies to do so. Born in Nevada just hours before St. Patrick's Day, Thelma "Pat" Ryan was educated in California and known for her superior grades, which allowed her to skip the second grade altogether as well as graduate cum laude from the University of Southern California. Few First Ladies worked as consistently before their marriage as did Pat Nixon. Working during her youth on her family's farm, she also later took over all the household chores when her mother became debilitated due to liver ailment and cancer. When her father could no longer work due to terminal tuberculosis, Pat Nixon also undertook a job to assist in his medical bills at the farmers' and dairymen's Artesia First National Bank, rising early to clean the floors as a janitor, then returning after high school to work as a bookkeeper.
During Pat Ryan's undergraduate years, she continued to work doggedly. Admitted to USC on
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