White House Social Secretary

The White House Social Secretary is responsible for the planning, coordination and execution of official social events at the White House, the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the United States.

Function

The Social Secretary is head of the White House Social Office, located in the East Wing of the White House Complex. The Social Secretary plans events ranging from those as simple as a tea for the First Lady and a single official guest, to dinners for more than 200 guests. The Social Secretary works with the White House Chief Usher to coordinate domestic staff and with the Chief of Protocol of the United States, an official within the United States Department of State, to plan state visits and accompanying state dinners. The Social Secretary works with the White House Graphics and Calligraphy Office in the production of invitations to social events.

The Social Secretary works on both the political and non-political functions of the presidency, coordinating events for the President, the First Lady, and senior political staff. The White House Social Secretary serves at the president's pleasure and is appointed by each administration.

First male to fill role

On February 25, 2011, the White House appointed Jeremy Bernard, the first male social secretary in its history. “I have long admired the arts and education programs that have become hallmarks of the Obama White House and I am eager to continue these efforts in the years ahead,” Bernard said during the announcing press conference.

Current staff

• Special Assistant to the President and White House Social Secretary: Deesha Dyer
  • Deputy White House Social Secretary: Lauren Kelly

List of former Secretaries

• Deesha Dyer (2015–present)
• Jeremy Bernard (2011–2015)
• Julianna Smoot (2010–2011)
• Desirée Rogers (2009–2010)
• Amy Zantzinger (2007–2009)
• Lea Berman (2005–2007)
• Catherine Fenton (2001–2005)
• Capricia Marshall (1997–2001)
• Ann Stock (1993–1997)
• Laurie Firestone (1989–1993)
• Linda Faulkner (1985–1989)
• Gahl Hodges (1983–1985)
• Mabel (Muffie) Brandon (1981–1983)
• Gretchen Poston (1977–1981)
• Maria Downs (1975–1977)
• Nancy Lammerding Ruwe (1974-1975)
• Lucy Winchester (1969–1974)
• Bess Abel (1963–1969)
• Letitia Baldrige (1961–1963)
• Mary Jane McCaffrey (1953–1961)
• Reathal Odum (1949–1953)
• Edith Benham Helm (2nd time, 1933–1953)
• Doris Goss (1931–1933)
• Mary Randolph (1929–1931)
• Laura Harlan (1921–1929)
• Edith Benham Helm (1st time, 1915–1921)
• Belle Hagner (2nd time, 1913–1915)
• Mary Spiers (1910–1913)
• Alice Blech (1909–1910)
• Belle Hagner (1st time, 1901–1909)

Further reading

• Baldrige, Letitia. In the Kennedy Style: Magical Evenings in the Kennedy White House. Doubleday: 1998. ISBN 0-385-48964-1.
• Clinton, Hillary Rodham. An Invitation to the White House: At Home with History. Simon & Schuster: 2000. ISBN 0-684-85799-5.
• The White House: An Historic Guide. White House Historical Association and the National Geographic Society: 2001. ISBN 0-912308-79-6.

External links

• White House Historical Association website
• Records of the White House Social Office (1952 - 1961), Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library