Once in a Lifetime unearths the extensive variety of Elise Varner Winter�s actions as first woman of Mississippi through the time period of her husband, Governor William F. wintry weather (1980�1984). Drawn from her own magazine, which she stored day-by-day, this account comprises the problematical moments in addition to the exhilarating ones, from maintaining residence to vacationing the White residence. the placement of a state�s first woman is without doubt one of the so much public of roles. but few humans recognize what a primary woman really does. In Elise Winter�s memoir, her feel of historical past, her expertise, and her perseverance to checklist her actions and observations supply a special chance for the reader to appreciate what existence within the Governor�s Mansion used to be rather like on an everyday basis.

This ebook unearths her conventional roles�planner of chic dinners, subtle hostess, hands-on gardener, and steward of the Mansion and its old number of old furnishings and ornamental arts. yet she emerged as a latest first woman, intensely attracted to public schooling and within the nation detention center, for which she constructed a number of very important projects. She recounts interesting occasions from Governor Winter�s management, its tensions and its accomplishments, resembling passage of the schooling Reform Act, a hit during which Elise wintry weather performed an crucial function. a few of the problems with thirty years in the past stay severe today�insufficient investment for schooling, price range deficits, criminal overcrowding, and the necessity for felony reform.

Elise wintry weather observes everybody and every little thing with a clean eye for element and describes all of them with honesty, readability, and ease. Her observations mirror her mind and perception, in addition to her humorousness. this can be a woman�s tale, a human tale, approximately hopes and doubts, approximately atmosphere excessive criteria and infrequently feeling insufficient, and in regards to the critical of continuous efforts to make her country a greater position for all who reside there.