ipl-logo

Dolley Madison Influence

1604 Words7 Pages

Dolley Madison will always be remembered for her generous hospitality, kind words, and powerful influence in her role as First Lady of the United States of America. Her lack of formal education did not detract from her intelligence in the least, being clever, sensible, and acute. She is noted for her impact on the role of future First Ladies, often referred to as “the first First Lady”. Although she was much younger than her husband President James Madison, the two had an extremely stable marriage; correspondence between them proves this. Throughout her life, Dolley Madison was beloved by the American people.
Although Dolley’s childhood is not described in detail, it was an important time in her life and later influenced her political role. …show more content…

The same evening, Dolley hosted the first Inaugural Ball, which was a great success (“First Lady”). Revered for her politeness, hospitality, and social attitude, she had little formal schooling but was a quick learner (“Dolley Madison’s Biography”). “Queen Dolley” was also fashionable. Abandoning the somber Quaker clothing soon after marrying Madison, she dressed regally yet simply, with her signature turban becoming a popular trend. She was a public celebrity and the first First Lady to appear on a magazine cover as well as have a ship named after her (“First Lady”). However, unlike many current celebrities, Dolley was not only stylish but reached out to others with her warm nature and kindness. A unique gift for setting people at ease made her famous for settling many political quarrels (Klapthor 14). Her close friend, Margaret Bayard Smith, noted that “Every visitor left her with the pleasing impression of being an especial favorite, of having been the object of peculiar attention. [Dolley] never forgot a name she had once heard, nor a face she had once seen, nor the personal circumstances connected with every individual of her acquaintance” (“Dolley Madison’s Biography”). Every Wednesday, she held “squeezes”, or small parties where current politicians were invited. The gracious First Lady served many delicacies and also popularized ice cream (“Encyclopedia of World Biography”). Adroitly, she used these events to influence wives of important political figures as she painted her name in history (“Dolley

Show More
Related
479 Words | 2 Pages

She grew up near the British houses of Parliament, as a lively talker and book lover. Her life was pretty

Read More
897 Words | 4 Pages

She was the first lady to have graduated from college, receiving her degree from Wesleyan Female College. Her decision to ban alcohol from White House events earned her the nickname “Lemonade Lucy” from her critics, but she was a popular first lady, and her public support and dedication to a variety of causes, including adequate funding for mental health care and education, set a standard for political activity among first ladies. Lucy met her future husband while she was a student at Ohio Wesleyan Preparatory Academy in Delaware, Ohio, then a Harvard Law School graduate visiting his hometown. They were married at the Webb family home on December 30, 1852. Lucy encouraged Hayes’s participation in the Civil War, but she endured a major scare when he was seriously wounded at the Battle of South Mountain in September 1862.

Read More
656 Words | 3 Pages

During her constant efforts to be known, along with appreciated, she and her husband had become separated. This provided girls all across their shared community with the mindset that being an independent individual was not always unacceptable, instead it could be a beneficial lifestyle. Even without a significant other, one could still possess great knowledge and intelligence. This theory, so to speak, was acknowledged once Mary had received the Medal of Honor. Suddenly the expectation among females had been altered.

Read More
1410 Words | 6 Pages

  As if the events of the war and the responsibilities of First Lady were not enough for her to bear, her little boy, Willie, died of typhoid fever. Through the grief of losing her son, Mary began to host séances which would become yet another target for her critics. Moreover, she watched helplessly as her husband’s health began to deteriorate under the stress and pressure of being president. Her sorrow for the wound soldiers, the death of her little boy and decline in her husband’s high spirits and health all contributed to the effects the war had Mary Lincoln’s

Read More
2061 Words | 9 Pages

Dolley had created a semi-public office as well as a unique role for herself and those who would follow her in the White House.” This reveals Mrs.Madison set the precedent of helping the country and being there for her husband. Instead of following in the footsteps of the other first ladies, she created her own path to walk on. When Madison was in trouble, she was there for him. When Madison needed advice, she was there for him.

Read More
1367 Words | 6 Pages

Paul Rutan III Hist 370 Book Review #2 05-01-2015 "American Queen: The Rise and Fall of Kate Chase Sprague, Civil War 'Belle of the North' and Gilded Age Woman of Scandal" by John Oller; Da Capo Press “American queen” by John Oller chronicles the life and times of Kate Chase Sprague (1840-1899) a political socialite who, at a time when women were to be seen and not heard, became one of the most influential women in American politics than any woman before. For nearly two decades Kate reigned, as “Queen of Washington”. Her reign would end with a sex scandal that would rock the U.S Capital. The scandal would force Kate out of the political spotlight and into a life of poverty.

Read More
534 Words | 3 Pages

More so, with political functions is where high -class women really rose. Dolley Madison was known to many as the ‘presidentress’ throughout America for her balancing role between queenliness and republican openness. When it came to women on top of the social class, they were able to work their class into gaining some part into the political process. Women like

Read More
424 Words | 2 Pages

She was a teacher earlier in her life before becoming a leading figure. She was the leading figure in abolishment and the women's voting rights movement. Incarcerated for voting and was imprisoned for a year until her court trial. Unfortunately all great people comes to their deathbed and she died on March 13, 1906.

Read More
1461 Words | 6 Pages

She would write the well known Observations on the New Constitution about this, which would go on to influence the writers of the Bill of Rights. Although she did this, her and her family were being considered “old-fashioned” and them to be shunned by the

Read More
298 Words | 2 Pages

Mrs. Hamer’s intended audience was the Freedom

Read More
127 Words | 1 Pages

When Fanny Trollope stepped on American soil, women were 100 years from their right to vote, forced to stay within their strict gender roles by their controlling husbands, and were forbidden to pursue an education or a professional career. Compared with Trollope’s familiar British society, America was far behind regarding their equality of women. Trollope came to America, without her husband, and with most of her children, an extreme feat in the eyes of Americans back in the 1820’s. She advocated for education, self-sufficiency, and occupation. Trollope saw through the “new free democracy” facade and noted in “Domestic Manners of the Americans,” that women were not in mind when the framers wrote the constitution, and that they played a subordinate,

Read More
466 Words | 2 Pages

She wasn’t satisfied with the limitations of being homeschooled, and began reading and studying the works of William Shakespeare and others. She also learned a great deal from her grandfather, John Quincy. John Quincy loved helping the community, and his sense of public relations helped shape Abigail’s values into the first lady

Read More
1708 Words | 7 Pages

Chesnut then went on to say how the woman deserved this remark said to her. In the same excerpt from A Diary from Dixie, she said that Mrs. Davis was not fond of her husband becoming president of the war. It is believed that she felt this way because people were hard to please and especially hard to please during the Civil War. Chesnut’s relationship with Mrs. Davis gave insight into Mrs. Davis as a person, instead of a name connected to a man. It proves that Mrs. Davis was more than the wife of the Confederate president and that she was an important member of their upper-class society.

Read More
757 Words | 4 Pages

She states that although she is a prominent leader, she never truly accomplished everything she had, alone. By recognizing Nancy Reagan as a figure that “mentored” and “offered her advice”, Michelle reveals the importance of the people who have stood by her in support of the actions she has made to promote female education. To continue, she thanks not only those who have already helped but also women that will be a part of future efforts to continue awareness of this struggle. In

Read More
701 Words | 3 Pages

In Katherine Mansfield’s “The Doll’s House” there is a much bigger story then what is being told. There is a lesson that can be learned by reading this story. Being prejudice isn’t always about people who are different colors or of different races, it can also be about people who are rich and people who are poor. People who have more money can be negative towards people who are not as well off, and people who have finer things and more money can have a negative personality, also Kezia appears to be a young girl with a still pure soul.

Read More

More about Dolley Madison Influence

Related Topics

Open Document