Unveiling the Clandestine Circle of Presidential Events Managers at the White House
In the grandeur of the White House, an unsung hero exists, the White House Social Secretary. Often referred to as the "ghost writers of the entertaining world," these individuals are responsible for crafting the social landscape of the most iconic residence in the world.
Lea Berman, who served from 2004 to 2007, is one such individual. Carlos Elizondo, the first Hispanic-American and only the second man to hold the job, currently holds this prestigious position. The role, established as early as President Theodore Roosevelt's administration, has evolved significantly over the years.
The Social Secretary is tasked with planning, coordinating, and managing all official social events and entertaining at the White House. This encompasses overseeing state dinners, receptions, holiday celebrations, and other ceremonial and social functions that represent the presidency and the United States to both domestic and international guests. The Social Secretary works closely with the First Family to ensure the events reflect their style and protocol, while also maintaining traditional standards of White House entertaining.
Key responsibilities include coordinating all logistics for events, collaborating with other White House offices, managing a team of event staff and volunteers, ensuring protocol and security requirements are met, and maintaining proper timing and flow of events to reflect diplomatic and political priorities.
Notable Social Secretaries have impacted White House entertaining in various significant ways. Letitia Baldrige, who served under First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, revolutionized White House entertaining by introducing elegant and thoughtful touches to state dinners and visitors' experiences, emphasizing diplomacy through hospitality. Subsequent Social Secretaries have used the role to reflect the personality and priorities of the First Family, modernizing or reemphasizing tradition in their events. Some have elevated the role as a key influencer in presidential image-making through highly visible and carefully managed events that garner substantial public and media attention.
The impact of Social Secretaries extends beyond logistics—they help craft an atmosphere that can foster diplomatic goodwill and shape public perceptions of the presidency through hospitality and ceremony. Though the focus often lies on the White House Press Secretary and other administration officials, the role of the Social Secretary is well established within White House operations and is recognized as essential to the cultural and diplomatic functions of the executive residence.
In the current administration, the Bidens are expected to prioritize diplomacy, graciousness, and inclusivity in their White House entertaining post-pandemic and post-Trump. Carlos Elizondo, the current Social Secretary, has already demonstrated his skills in this area, having organized Vice President Biden's annual beach party for journalists.
The best social secretaries are skilled at navigating the line between graciousness and boundaries for powerful individuals. They are deceptively hard workers, requiring extensive research and intelligence, as described by Susanna Quinn, an entrepreneur and DC entertainer. The job, though often unseen, plays a crucial role in the smooth operation of the White House and the maintenance of diplomatic relations.
Despite the challenges and the spotlight, Social Secretaries have risen to the occasion, leaving their unique mark on White House entertaining. From Letitia "Tish" Baldridge's attention to detail and etiquette books to Desiree Rogers' innovative approach, each Social Secretary has contributed to the rich history and tradition of the White House.
- Lea Berman and Carlos Elizondo are two individuals who have served as White House Social Secretaries, responsible for crafting the social landscape of the iconic White House.
- The role of the Social Secretary includes planning, coordinating, and managing all official social events and entertaining at the White House, such as state dinners, receptions, and holiday celebrations.
- Key responsibilities require coordinating all logistics for events, collaborating with other White House offices, managing a team of event staff and volunteers, and ensuring protocol and security requirements are met.
- Notable Social Secretaries like Letitia Baldrige have impacted White House entertaining significantly, introducing elegant and thoughtful touches to state dinners and visitor experiences.
- The Social Secretary works closely with the First Family to ensure events reflect their style and protocol, while also maintaining traditional standards of White House entertaining.
- Besides logistics, Social Secretaries help craft an atmosphere that can foster diplomatic goodwill and shape public perceptions of the presidency through hospitality and ceremony.
- In the current administration, the Bidens are expected to prioritize diplomacy, graciousness, and inclusivity in their White House entertaining, with the current Social Secretary, Carlos Elizondo, already demonstrating his skills in this area.
- The Social Secretary's job, while often unseen, plays a crucial role in the smooth operation of the White House and the maintenance of diplomatic relations, requiring extensive research and intelligence.
