Читать книгу First Ladies For Dummies - Marcus A. Stadelmann, Marcus A. Stadelmann PhD - Страница 54

IN THIS CHAPTER

Discovering Abigail Adams’s impact on women’s rights and policy

Looking at Martha Jefferson’s too-short life

Understanding Dolley Madison’s influence as heroine and First Lady

The role of First Lady was still being shaped by the women who filled it after Martha Washington. All three ladies discussed in this chapter, Abigail Adams, Martha Jefferson, and Dolley Madison, continued to set precedents for future First Ladies. While Martha Washington (see Chapter 3) focused on being a charming hostess for White House affairs, Abigail Adams was politically outspoken, impacting policy making. She was the first First Lady to have more than a ceremonial role. Dolley Madison combined the two traits. She was one of the most gracious White House hostesses who also wasn’t afraid to speak her mind. On a sadder side, Martha Jefferson established the precedent of wives who passed before their husbands became president still being referred to as First Lady.