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Party's About to Start for Obamas' Social Secretary

Desirée Rogers brings tradition and inclusiveness to the party

By Victoria Floethe,  Newser User

Posted Jan 19, 2009 5:18 PM CST

(Newser) – As White House social secretary, Desirée Rogers will not only organize all social events and ceremonies, she'll help people imagine what Barack Obama’s presidency represents. Catching up with the “the most eligible woman in Washington" for Vogue, William Norwich finds the former Chicago businesswoman and Obama family friend deserving of such recent, rave reviews as “life of the party.”

“Desirée is so poised and so charming, so substantial and capable,” said Letitia Baldrige, JFK’s social secretary, who advised Rogers to avoid putting too many politicians on dinner lists. Rogers says she and Michelle Obama are studying Jacqueline Kennedy’s White House for inspiration, but plan to keep it fresh and inclusive. One possiblity: an Internet lottery to welcome a guest to a Pennsylvania Avenue soirée.

We would be remiss not to study those years carefully, Rogers says of the Kennedy White House, not in order to duplicate them but to be inspired by them.
"We would be remiss not to study those years carefully," Rogers says of the Kennedy White House, "not in order to duplicate them but to be inspired by them."   (Getty Images)
Desirée Rogers will oversee social planning at the White House after President-elect Barack Obama takes office.
Desirée Rogers will oversee social planning at the White House after President-elect Barack Obama takes office.   (Allstate Insurance Co.)
President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle arrive at We Are One: Opening Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial yesterday in Washington.
President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle arrive at "We Are One: Opening Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial" yesterday in Washington.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Zebraone
Jan 31, 2009 12:42 AM CST
I'll leave one!!~~~~The 'whitehouse' is getting pretty black!~~~ How's that, sucker!!!!
Guest
Jan 20, 2009 1:09 AM CST
Thanks that reminds me I need to go buy some YUM stock
Guest
Jan 19, 2009 5:23 AM CST
Hey Corona_Scott_King: That is one pretty lady. (Or maybe there's some racist comment you'd like to add?) "LOL!"

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