Читать книгу First Ladies For Dummies - Marcus A. Stadelmann, Marcus A. Stadelmann PhD - Страница 69

James Madison’s retirement didn’t last long. In 1801, the new President Thomas Jefferson called him back to the capital to serve as his Secretary of State. Dolley was delighted to return to the national scene, and with Thomas Jefferson being a widower, she would occasionally serve as his hostess for social functions at the White House.

In addition, Dolley started to entertain in her own home. Politicians and foreign diplomats couldn’t wait to get an invitation to her events. Soon her home became the place to be in Washington, D.C. She would organize regular Wednesday afternoon parties, and everyone wanted to be invited.

Dolley started her own fashion trend. She enjoyed wrapping scarves around her head, and the admiring public soon called it the “Dolley Turban” (see Figure 4-5).

Source: Unknown Source / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

FIGURE 4-5: Dolley Madison wearing her signature turban.

By 1808, Dolley had become one of the most popular women in the United States, well known and beloved by the American people. Her popularity helped get her husband elected in the 1808 presidential election, and by 1809, Dolley Madison was the new First Lady of the United States.

Dolley proved to be a major asset in James Madison’s campaign for the presidency. After he won the presidency, his opponent Federalist Charles C. Pickney stated, “I might have had a better chance had I faced Mr. Madison alone.”

As First Lady, Dolley preferred to serve American food at White House dinners. She, therefore, looked for recipes all over the United States to serve authentic American cuisine at state dinners instead of foreign food, such as French food.

Members of Congress liked Dolley Madison so much that they had a reserved seat for her in the House of Representatives. She could come and go as she pleased.