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Category Archives: First Ladies
Nellie Taft, Eliza Scidmore, and Japanese Cherry Trees
Helen Herron Taft, Nellie, was the most well-traveled First Lady that the United States had seen when she entered the White House with her husband President William Howard Taft in 1909. She had seen more of the world than most … Continue reading
Marian Anderson, Eleanor Roosevelt, and the DAR
On Easter Sunday, April 9, 1939, Marian Anderson performed in what may be her most famous concert in the United States. It began with a stirring rendition of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial … Continue reading
Harriet Lane – The “Democratic Queen”
Harriet Lane was one of a number of women who served as the official White House hostess without being married to the President. She was greatly admired and well-liked even though by the end of his term her uncle James … Continue reading
Posted in First Ladies
Tagged 19th century, Civil War, Harriet Lane, President James Buchanan, US First Ladies, US Presidents
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Jane Pierce – “The Shadow in the White House”
Today it’s difficult to imagine a First Lady who isn’t actively involved in her husband’s career. Whether it’s involvement in politics, actively pursuing causes of her own, or at the very least serving as the White House hostess, the First … Continue reading
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Tagged 19th century, Franklin Pierce, Jane Pierce, Nathaniel Hawthorne, US First Ladies, US Presidents
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Lou Henry Hoover – Herbert’s True Partner
Lou Henry Hoover was born and grew up during a time when the roles of women were changing. Property laws had changed for married women; traditionally male colleges were beginning to admit women; and more and more women were going … Continue reading
Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt – First Lady
Every thing about Theodore Roosevelt was larger than life. He had an enormous amount of energy and approached everything with exuberance and enthusiasm, whether it was physical exercise, hunting, reading, charging up San Juan Hill, or continuing a speech while … Continue reading
Bess Truman – Harry’s One True Love
I like Harry Truman. I might not agree with all the decisions he made as President, but I like the person he was. One thing I like about Harry is that once he set his mind to something, he did … Continue reading
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Tagged 20th century, Bess Truman, Harry S. Truman, Independence MO, women's history, World War I
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Eleanor Roosevelt – A Late Bloomer
There are many biographies about her, multi-volume biographies, as well as biographies about her husband Franklin Delano Roosevelt which of necessity include her. I am certainly not an expert on her and there are people out there who are; people … Continue reading
