About Patricia Ryan Nixon

Pat Nixon was no ordinary woman!  Compassion, determination against all the odds, and an unwavering spirit are but a meager collection of words when attempting to define this great lady.

She was born Thelma Catherine Ryan on March 16th but acquired the nickname of ‘Pat’ within hours of her birth.  Her father, a mineworker, called her his “Saint Patrick’s babe in the morn”.

Pat was only 13 when her mother died and she assumed all the household duties for her father and two older brothers.  At 18, her father became seriously ill.  For months she attempted to nurse him back to health but lost him, nonetheless.

All on her own now, Pat decided to continue her education, working her way through the University of Southern California holding part-time jobs on campus as a sales clerk and a movie extra.  In 1937 she graduated cum laude, an impressive undertaking for a young woman who hadn’t been dealt the most favorable hand in life.

From there, Pat accepted a position as a high school teacher in Whittier, California.

Pat’s exposure to drama must have been an enjoyable time in her life, for she continued her association, becoming a part of a Little Theater group in Whittier.  She met Richard Nixon there as he was cast in the same play.

They were married on June 21, 1940.  Then Dick entered politics after World War II and within six years, Pat saw him elected to the House, the Senate, and the Vice Presidency as Dwight D. Eisenhower’s running mate.

Pat and Dick were very devoted parents to their two daughters, Tricia and Julie.  During her time as First Lady, Pat filled the White House with American traditions while entertaining, from opera to bluegrass, and she took great interest in adding a number of fine antiques and paintings to the White House collection.  

As First Lady, Pat was a gracious hostess and used her position to encourage volunteer service.  To bring about the ‘spirit of people helping people’ she invited literally hundreds of families to nondenominational Sunday services in the East Room of the White House.  This was unprecedented in White House history.

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