If you wonder what it would be like to be the woman behind the man – or the man behind the woman – in a political power couple, an event tonight at Kansas University’s Dole Institute of Politics is for you.

A panel discussion, “First Spouses: Changing Roles and Expectations,” at 7:30 tonight will examine the history of first ladies and look forward to how other first spouses might act.

On the panel are South Carolina First Lady Jenny Sanford and first lady historian Carl Sferrazza Anthony. Sanford was an investment banker before becoming first lady and agreeing to take on certain political tasks, including managing her husband’s campaign. Anthony has written 10 books on first ladies and was a speechwriter for Nancy Reagan.

Dole fellow Jennifer Schmidt will moderate the discussion.