Name: It's time to rethink the role of First Lady
Uploaded: 2023-11-09T15:56:46Z
Duration: 12 min 44 s
Description: Irina Karamanos Adrian didn't plan on becoming Chile's First Lady — but she set out to transform the role all the same. She shares how she's fighting gender stereotypes and protecting democracy by shifting political power back to where it belongs: to people who were actually elected.

Irina Karamanos Adrian: It's time to rethink the role of First Lady

It's time to rethink the role of First Lady

Irina Karamanos Adrian didn't plan on becoming Chile's First Lady — but she set out to transform the role all the same. She shares how she's fighting gender stereotypes and protecting democracy by shifting political power back to where it belongs: to people who were actually elected.

Powerful traditions can outlast their purpose, embedding roles like First Lady deep within state structures. In Chile, the position held influence over public foundations and even came with a lavish office nicknamed Versailles, despite never being elected. Transferring these powers to ministries and removing unelected influence from government highlighted how democracy benefits when authority stays with the people. This overhaul challenged not only gender stereotypes but also the assumption that marriage should grant political legitimacy.