18 Ways Jackie Kennedy Was a Woman Ahead of Her Time

On July 28, 2018, former first lady Jacqueline "Jackie" Bouvier Kennedy would have celebrated her 89th birthday. Although it's been more than 24 years since her death, the world still remembers Jackie as an icon of style, poise and beauty who will long be remembered as one of America's most beloved first ladies. Not only was Jackie a pretty face, but she also was determined to live life on her terms and ended up creating a lasting legacy that's still apparent today.

After attending a prestigious prep school in her youth, Jackie went on to study French literature at Vassar College, later spending a year abroad in France before transferring to George Washington University for her senior year. With her bachelor's degree in hand, Jackie later went to Georgetown University to study American history.

Before her husband ever set foot in the White House, Jackie vowed to not only redecorate the private and public rooms of the presidential residence, but also to bring more works of art into their quarters. Thanks to her dedication, numerous committees and positions were established to help fundraise for, secure and care for permanent works of art that would grace the White House walls.

Seen here in 1962 with Pakistan President Ayub Khan, Jackie Kennedy counted many world leaders as friends. From Queen Frederica of Greece to Ireland's President Eamon de Valera, world leaders were people Jackie was at ease around, and she managed to win their favor with her intellect and charm.

Thanks to her education, Jackie Kennedy was fluent in English, Spanish, Italian and French. Not only could the first lady speak conversationally in all four languages, but she was able to write in them, as well. Due to her linguistic strengths, she often helped translate foreign books for her husband and even accompanied him on the campaign trail where she famously translated his speeches for non-English-speaking constituents.

Not only did Jackie Kennedy campaign on her husband's behalf, she was also a charming speaker throughout her husband's presidency. Whether she was thanking the members of Brigade 2506 —men who bravely risked their lives in the Bay of Pigs Invasion—in Spanish or dazzling French political leaders during her husband's 1961 visit to France, for which he famously said, "I am the man who accompanied Jacqueline Kennedy to Paris," she proved herself a talented orator.

When Jackie Kennedy was born in 1929, it wasn't as socially acceptable for women to have careers. By the time she completed college in 1951, Jackie landed a job in a predominately male field as a photographer and interviewer for the Washington Times-Herald. During her reporting career, Jackie interviewed famous people including Richard Nixon and covered major historical events like President Dwight D. Eisenhower's inauguration and Queen Elizabeth II's coronation.

Physical beauty is the lottery of birth, but beautiful style is a cultivated talent that Jackie Kennedy had in excess. Her unique fashion sense started trends around the world, from her famous pillbox hats to her fitted suit dresses, but her style wasn't limited to clothes. The former first lady even channeled her talent into decorating the White House after renovating many of the rooms.

She was intelligent, poised and widely considered an icon of great style. Few know that Jackie Kennedy didn't just select and accessorize amazing outfits, she also helped design her own ensembles, which were then turned into actual pieces of clothing by her "Secretary of Style," fashion designer Oleg Cassini.

Before Jackie Kennedy, first ladies were regarded with respect and admiration—from afar. Things changed when Jackie welcomed camera crews into the White House in 1962 to film a personal tour of the presidential estate, which she'd spent nearly two years renovating. The televised tour allowed the American public to fall in love with Jackie, stirring their fascination with the well-spoken and stylish first lady.

Jackie Kennedy's appeal was so immense, she even won a special Emmy in 1962 for her televised tour of the White House. She became the first and so far only first lady to win the coveted television award and proved once again that her influence was limitless.

Jackie Kennedy wasn't afraid to go against the grain. Outspoken about her desire to have her own life and career, Jackie even called off her 1952 engagement to another man, Wall Street banker John Husted, two months after their wedding announcement was published in the Washington Times-Herald. Not long after getting cold feet, she met John F. Kennedy, who changed her mind about settling down.

Even though audio recordings released in 2011 revealed Jackie Kennedy didn't always like civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., the former first lady was a supporter of the civil rights movement. Although she wasn't free to speak about the issues of the time, Jackie used her influence in many ways, including hiring an African-American designer to create her wedding gown and insisting that African-American servicemen be pallbearers in her husband's funeral.

Jackie Kennedy understood education was pivotal for success. After moving into the White House in 1961, Jackie was upset with the paparazzi for hounding her daughter, Caroline, as she went to and from school outside the presidential residence. Using her position as first lady, Jackie authorized the opening of a racially integrated nursery school on the third floor of the White House, inviting staff members' children to also attend.

Following the death of Jackie Kennedy's second husband, Aristotle Onassis, in 1975, the former first lady made a decision to reinvent herself by pursuing a career in publishing. Her passion for books and writing led her to first become a consulting editor at Viking Press and, later, a senior editor at Doubleday, where she helped shaped works like Michael Jackson's "Moonwalk" and Dorothy West's "The Wedding."

As a child, Jackie Kennedy's love of horses led her to become an accomplished equestrian. Her passion for writing led her to enter (and win) the 1951 Vogue Prix de Paris competition from a pool of more than 1,200 contestants (although her mother refused to allow her to take the prize). Later pursuits, including fashion design, interior decorating, writing and editing, all came to fruition because Jackie knew how to channel her determination into success.

During Jackie Kennedy's time as first lady, decorum prevented her from speaking about certain issues. However, she didn't let that stop her from engaging in her husband's political career. From translating his speeches in foreign languages to befriending diplomats around the world and even privately counseling her husband on political matters, Jackie might not have been voted into office, but she proved herself a worthy political asset all the same.

By the late 1960s, Jackie Kennedy had paparazzi following her every move. While some celebrities take the intrusion in stride, Jackie refused to allow photographers to invade her space or harass her family. In 1973, she sued photographer Ron Galella and won a restraining order against him that prohibited him from coming within 25 feet of her and 30 feet of her children. The persistent photog didn't listen, and Jackie took him to court once more in 1981.

After the horrific assassination of President John F. Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963, Jackie refused to change out of the blood-stained pink Chanel suit dress she was wearing while sitting beside him in the motorcade. Hours later, as President Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn into office, Jackie was seen still wearing the same clothes. When asked by Lady Bird Johnson if she wanted to change, Jackie reportedly said, "Oh no, I want them to see what they've done to Jack."