Providencia Paredes | Jacqueline Onassis Kennedy’s shadow

*A THREAD*

Since a lot of y’all are happy about Julissa Reynoso-Pantaleon’s selection as White House Chief of Staff, I decided to make a thread on the first Afro-Dominicana in the White House, Providencia Paredes.

Paredes was born on June 9th, 1924 in San Pedro de Macoris.

In the Dominican Republic she worked under the Dominican ambassador to the United States, Luis Francisco Thomen who linked her to John F. Kennedy, then a Massachusetts congressman.

Upon making the U.S. Senate, Kennedy asked Providencia to work for him. Kennedy eventually became U.S. President when he moved to the White House, he remarked, “I want Provi, because she’s the best.”.

Provi became the personal assistant and stylist for First Lady, Jacqueline Onassis Kennedy.

Provi coordinated her engagements, took phone calls, coordinated with designers, managed her extensive wardrobe, chose her clothes and went on business trips and vacations. Kennedy loved French couture and designer clothing.

Jacqueline Onassis Kennedy was considered a major fashion icon and sex symbol in the 1960’s and was one of the most beloved and influential First Ladies in American history.

After Kennedy’s assassination, Provi replaced Jackie’s blood-stained pink Chanel suit with a blue suit. Provi provided emotional support for Jackie after the assassination.

Provi continued working under Kennedy’s brothers, RFK until his assassination and then Ted Kennedy until he was involved in a car crash that killed his secretary and his presidential ambitions.

In 1969, she moved on obtaining a position with the United States Postal Service Library Division for which she worked until 1992.

After Jackie O’s death in 1994, she left Provi $50,000 and thanked her for her assistance and friendship. The Kennedy and Paredes families kept a close relationship.

Provi passed away in 2015 at the age of 90. Her son, Gustavo eulogized her saying “She broke the barrier of what an American was: She was making trips with the president, representing the aspiration of the American dream.”

Gustavo said. “From her humble beginnings in the Dominican Republic, she ended up flying around the world representing the country of her birth as well as her newfound country.”