You can bet that during this long holiday weekend, the name Ronald Reagan will be invoked reverentially by Republican candidates across the nation who are running for everything from city council to governor.

As they recite the momentous accomplishments of the late president, I hope some will take time to reflect that many of his triumphs, and potentially the Reagan presidency itself, might not have happened without "the other Reagan" — Nancy.

President Reagan made no secret that he considered Nancy a working partner in all aspects of his life. During his presidency, the press often had harsh words for the first lady. They even took shots at her for being elegant...