Melania Trump: Influences & Initiatives as First Lady

Did you know that Melania Trump is the second first lady born outside of the United States¹? She was born in Slovenia on April 26, 1970. By 16, she had started a successful modeling career. Later, she moved to New York. She became a U.S. citizen in 2006¹. Melania has worked with groups like the Martha Graham Dance Company, the American Red Cross, and the Boys’ Club of New York².

Melania Trump focused on helping children and young people as First Lady. In 2018, she launched the BE BEST initiative¹. BE BEST targets well-being, social media use, and opioid abuse¹. Her work has greatly helped communities in the U.S. and around the world¹.

Melania has traveled to over nine countries, including a significant solo trip to Africa¹. She has met with thirty foreign diplomats and leaders or their partners¹. One memorable impact was her visit to the Bambino Gesu Pediatric Hospital in Vatican City¹. This visit led to a successful heart transplant for a boy¹.

In 2019, at a BE BEST celebration, Melania restated her commitment to children’s potential¹. She continues promoting welfare and positive change for youth¹.

Key Takeaways:

• Melania Trump is the second first lady born outside of the United States¹.
• Melania Trump’s modeling career and community involvement shaped her before becoming First Lady¹².
• As First Lady, Melania Trump established the BE BEST initiative, which focuses on well-being, social media, and opioid abuse¹.
• Melania Trump’s international travels and meetings with foreign diplomats have had a positive impact on communities and individuals¹.
• Melania Trump’s dedication to helping children and youth remains unwavering¹.

Modeling Career and Community Involvement

Melania Trump began modeling when she was just 16, quickly shining in the fashion spotlight³. She worked with top photographers and appeared in famous magazines, known in the fashion circle. Her poise and style won over people everywhere, leading to roles in major ad campaigns.

Melania made sure to give back despite her modeling success. In 2005, she was the Honorary Chairwoman for the Martha Graham Dance Company, highlighting the arts³. That same year, she was named Goodwill Ambassador by the American Red Cross for her charity work³.

In 2010, Melania helped raise $1.7 million for the American Heart Association, showing her commitment to health³. She also launched a jewelry line that year, displaying her creative and business skills³.

As First Lady, Melania started the BE BEST campaign. It focuses on well-being, online safety, and fighting opioid abuse³. BE BEST celebrates people and programs that help kids in the U.S. and worldwide³.

In 2018, Melania traveled alone to Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, and Egypt. She focused on education and health initiatives³. She also visited troops in Iraq, showing her support for the military³.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Melania stayed active as First Lady. She shared important CDC messages and connected with kids online, offering support during tough times³.

Initiatives as First Lady: BE BEST Campaign

Melania Trump launched the BE BEST campaign on May 7, 2018⁴. It has three main focuses: well-being, online safety, and opioid abuse. She aims to make kids’ lives better and promote their mental and physical health.

Melania visited national parks to talk about saving natural resources as part of the well-being effort. She teamed up with groups like the Red Cross to teach kids how to be ready for disasters⁵. She also spread the word about Sickle Cell Disease and helped fix problems in child care⁵.

The online safety part of her campaign is really important. Melania met with tech folks to find ways to teach kids to stay safe online. She told parents and teachers how crucial it is to have good online habits⁶. She’s also helped families who’ve been hurt by cyberbullying⁶.

Tackling opioid abuse is another key piece. Melania has been outspoken about how this crisis hurts babies and those not yet born. She’s visited places where they treat addiction to learn and support new ways to get better⁴. She’s also raised awareness about how babies suffer when their moms use opioids while pregnant⁴.

Melania didn’t just work in the U.S. She took the BE BEST message global, visiting places like Ghana and Egypt. Her goal was to spread the campaign’s message and help kids everywhere⁴. This includes international efforts to help young people all over⁶.

Despite working hard on BE BEST, Melania faced some criticisms. In 2020, a study ranked BE BEST as the least effective of recent First Ladies’ projects⁴. People also critiqued its name, “Be Best,” as grammatically incorrect⁴. Even so, she kept working to help kids thrive and be happy.

BE BEST Campaign Statistics

Melania Trump’s BE BEST campaign was a big part of her work as First Lady. She focused on making kids’ lives better, keeping them safe online, and fighting opioid abuse. Her mission was all about helping kids grow up healthy and happy.

International Impact and Military Support

Melania Trump’s role has made waves beyond the US borders. She has used her position to positively affect children’s lives all over the world. During her visits to nine countries, she focused on hospitals, schools, and programs that help children. Her solo trip to Africa was especially important in highlighting efforts to help children there⁷.

She also met with world leaders to discuss children’s needs globally. These meetings helped her push for changes to better these young lives internationally. Her commitment to kids’ welfare has left its mark worldwide⁷.

Melania has been a firm supporter of the military and their families as well. She’s visited various military bases, meeting troops and their families. Her trip to Iraq over the holidays showed her appreciation and raised awareness of military families’ sacrifices. These visits help her support these families better⁷.

Working with the Second Lady, Melania expanded the Comfort Kit program of the American Red Cross for troops abroad. This initiative gives necessary items and comfort to deployed service members. Her actions underscore her commitment to military support⁷.

Melania’s international efforts and military support have made a deep impact. She has worked hard to improve children’s lives globally and to back military families. Her initiatives have truly made a difference around the world⁷.

Role in Honoring Women’s Suffrage and Response to COVID-19

As First Lady, Melania Trump worked hard to honor women’s suffrage in American history. She marked the 100th Anniversary of the Ratification of the 19th Amendment, a key achievement for gender equality. Melania organized a children’s art competition, showing the talent of young artists from each state, to honor the suffragettes⁸.

With the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission, Melania Trump backed the cause. She supported the “Every Word We Utter” Monument. This monument is a tribute to the brave women who fought for voting rights, encouraging young people to use their power and voice for the nation’s future⁸.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Melania Trump offered her support and advice. Since March, she’s talked about the virus’s impact, showing how committed the administration is to finding treatments and vaccines. Melania gave announcements to follow CDC guidelines to protect Americans’ health⁸.

Melania’s dedication to American safety involved working with state and local governments during the crisis. She focused on the pandemic’s effect on children, creating online activities for them. She also sent care packages to frontline workers, thanking them for their hard work and dedication during tough times⁸.

Melania Trump’s work on women’s suffrage and her response to COVID-19 show her deep commitment to people and public health. Her actions have honored the legacy of women’s rights. They also impact today and the future, building a fairer and stronger society.

Conclusion

Melania Trump’s time as First Lady has left a mark that shows her care for kids and her active role in many projects. She moved from modeling to working in the community, always aiming to make a positive change.

As First Lady, she started the BE BEST campaign. It aimed to help children’s health, keep them safe online, and fight the opioid problem⁹. She also worked hard to support the military and their families worldwide. This showed her dedication to those in service⁹. Besides, Melania focused on celebrating women’s right to vote and helped women succeed in every area, impacting the equality fight⁹.

Even though she faced criticism and tough times during her role, including times when her private words were leaked¹⁰, her focus on helping kids never wavered. Even when not seen much, her work was acknowledged by former President Trump⁹.

In the end, Melania Trump will be remembered for her strong dedication to improving kids’ lives, her support abroad and for the military, and promoting women’s rights. Her work has laid the foundation for a hopeful future for our young ones. Her influence will be felt for many years to come⁹.

Andrew Mercer

As the founder of Soul Sanctuaries, Andrew Mercer is deeply committed to transforming lives through wellness. With extensive experience in the wellness industry, Andrew combines his knowledge and passion to create personalized wellness retreats that promote physical, mental, and spiritual health. His visionary leadership drives Soul Sanctuaries’ mission and values.