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Conversation 012-006

TapeTape 12StartWednesday, October 20, 1971 at 3:40 PMEndWednesday, October 20, 1971 at 3:42 PMTape start time00:15:14Tape end time00:16:45ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Nixon, Thelma C. ("Pat") (Ryan)Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon suggests that First Lady Pat Nixon include several high-ranking women from the administration, such as Elizabeth Koontz, on a forthcoming diplomatic trip to increase the mission's substantive impact. Mrs. Nixon expresses hesitation, citing her previous negative experience with managing a group of cabinet wives during a trip to Mexico. To address these logistical concerns, the President proposes that the delegates follow separate, individual schedules and only join the First Lady for social events in the evening.

Pat NixonDiplomatic tripsWomen in governmentLogisticsForeign policyElizabeth Koontz
AudioNARA Description

On October 20, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Thelma C. ("Pat") (Ryan) Nixon talked on the telephone from 3:40 pm to 3:42 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 012-006 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 12-6

Date: October 20, 1971
Time: 3:40 pm- 3:42 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon.

[See Conversation No. 282-14D]

     Mrs. Nixon's schedule
          -Forthcoming trip
          -People accompanying Mrs. Nixon on trip
               -Elizabeth D. Koontz
               -Women
               -Possible problems
                     -Mrs. Nixon’s previous trip to Mexico
                                              5

                          NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

                                      Tape Subject Log
                                        (rev. 10/06)
Transcript (AI-Generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.

You know I was just talking to Bill Rogers and he's got a great idea I think if you know that if you could take three or four of the top women in government and do three or four more countries
You see what I mean?
Now, the reason is that now, for example, and they wouldn't be black, but there is one black woman, you know, Ella Koontz in labor, who is really quite outstanding.
So you could take a top person from HEW,
Yeah, I have to think about it a little bit, Dick.
So let's don't decide right now because some of these women, they're awfully hard to take care of.
You know, you can't get around much.
Like in Mexico, remember?
I know, I know.
I had all the cabinet wives with me and I could hardly operate.
I know.
The way I would do it, though, is that I would not have them with you.
I'd have them have separate schedules.
Oh, yeah.
Well, we could.
You'd go in.
You'd go in, and each of them would go out.
One would visit a hospital, another would go to a nursing home, another go to a volunteer center, another go to that.
And you go to the things you go to, see.
You'd only meet socially at night, which is the way I've gone, see, at times.
No, I think, and the idea, too, the idea of making the trip substantive is very important.
Yeah, well, I put that out.
Because of the substantive thing.
Yeah.
Listen, I have to go to another thing now.
I'll talk about it later, all right?
Okay.
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