My 3.5 year project called Booking It Through History: First Ladies is now complete. I learned so much about American and women’s history by studying these amazing ladies. Each one had a unique impact on history using their innate talents and energy. I thought it would be fun to reflect on my years with the ladies and share some of what I learned. To learn more, check out my posts and my book recommendations!
Reflections
Every first lady’s story is compelling.
I truly enjoyed learning about each and every woman who served as a first lady. Even those who died young (like Martha Jefferson) or had a non-active role in the White House (like Jane Pierce) were fascinating. It was a challenge reading about these women as not many books or scholarship has focused on them, but I was usually able to find something to read even if it was just their husband’s biography. Some of these women’s life stories were so amazing that more historical fiction writers should look to them for book ideas!
I was surprised by how strongly I felt about my favorite first ladies.
I was surprised when I learned more about unknown first ladies like Louisa Catherine Adams who is now my favorite first lady. Her heartbreaking story of her trying marriage and sad motherhood weighed on my emotions, bringing me to tears as I read her own words in her memoirs. Another favorite, Edith Roosevelt, captivated my heart with her practical advice on motherhood, while another favorite, Barbara Bush, made me laugh with her witty remarks. My favorite first ladies (see list below) are women that I will champion to anyone who will listen!
Studying the first ladies changed how I thought of them and their husbands.
Going into this project, I would have said that Mary Lincoln was my favorite first lady just because Abraham Lincoln is my favorite president and because the Civil War time period is my favorite to study. However, while I still think Mary is fascinating and misunderstood, I had other first ladies that usurped her place in my favorites even though President Lincoln remains my favorite president.
I was surprised that some of my least favorite presidents had wives or first lady stand-ins that I really liked (like Lady Bird Johnson and Harriet Lane)! A first lady’s popularity is often tied to her husband which can be unfair to her (see Pat Nixon). This project changed how I evaluated the first ladies and provided more insight on their legacy rather than just being linked to their husband.
A first lady’s story doesn’t end when she leaves the White House.
I was struck by how most first ladies lived long lives after the White House years. How do you go from being the most admired women in the world to a regular citizen again? Some first ladies had a second act after their time in Washington (see Eleanor Roosevelt) while others retreated to their homes to recover from the stress of the White House (like Bess Truman). Seeing how varied the women’s lives were after their service, I decided to end my project early with Barbara Bush as the subsequent first ladies are still alive. Their stories are still being written.
First ladies scholarship is a growing and active community.
Through my research, I have learned about other organizations and scholars that are working to champion the first ladies. I am now a member of the First Ladies Association for Research and Education (FLARE) and participated in its recent conference. I also love the connection between first ladies and their historical sites from the First Ladies Man and the reporting on all things first ladies by East Wing Magazine. I love all of the various podcasts by the White House Historical Association and FLARE not to mention the many books written about first ladies (check out my recommendations here). Plus I cannot wait to visit the National First Ladies Library and Museum in Canton, Ohio!
Biggest Impact
I was so inspired by my time with Louisa Catherine Adams that I made her the subject of my next historical fiction book! I spent the last year writing a novel about Louisa’s amazing first forty years. From her childhood in London to her time spent dazzling the courts of Prussia and Russia as John Quincy Adams’ wife, Louisa’s story captured my soul and wouldn’t let go. Watch this Instagram reel all about her life and my work. Stay tuned for publishing news as I bring her story to the world!
First Lady Superlatives
Be sure to read the linked post to learn why these women deserved these superlatives.
Most pictures from the National Portrait Gallery’s First Ladies exhibit unless noted.
Favorite First Lady: Louisa Catherine Adams
Favorite First Mother: Edith Roosevelt
First Lady I’d Want to Befriend: Barbara Bush
First Lady I Admire Most: Betty Ford
Favorite First Lady Stand-in: Harriet Lane
Favorite Politically Active First Lady: Sarah Polk
First Lady Whose Story Should be Better Known: Elizabeth Monroe
Most Misunderstood First Lady: Mary Lincoln
First Lady Most Unfairly Maligned by the Press: Pat Nixon
Favorite First Lady’s Fashion: Frances Cleveland
Favorite Wartime First Lady: Dolley Madison
Favorite First Lady Portrait: Grace Coolidge
Biggest Surprise: Lady Bird Johnson
I hope you had as much fun with the first ladies as I did! You can always read my blog posts or watch my Instagram reels (see the multiple First Ladies highlights) to learn more about these amazing women. I still plan to research the first ladies and will continue championing their stories!
John Adam’s wife , Abigail had a major influence on John and he was kind of difficult.