Born: 1831
Died: 1889
Lucy Webb grew up in a family of Ohio abolitionists and temperance advocates. After graduating from Cincinnati's Wesleyan Female College, the 21-year-old Lucy married longtime beau Rutherford Hayes, a 30-year-old lawyer (their mothers had introduced them). Lucy eventually gave birth to eight children, three who died in infancy. Early in her marriage, she took an interest in politics, espousing abolition and supporting Lincoln and the Republican party. When her husband volunteered for the Union Army, Lucy visited his encampments and served as a nurse. During his two terms as Congressman, she was an able Washington hostess. And back home in Ohio during "Ruddy's" tenure as Governor, Lucy helped found a home for soldiers' and sailors' orphans and visited various state welfare institutions.
By the time Lucy got to the White House, the First Presidential wife to hold a college degree was being hailed as a shining symbol of the "New Woman." But as First Lady, Lucy studiously avoided controversy and refused to be drawn into public debate on women's suffrage or other political issues. In keeping with her long held beliefs, she did ban alcohol from the White House -- prompting the famous nickname, "Lemonade Lucy" -- but otherwise, she assumed the traditional role of hostess, wife and mother. It was Lucy who began the popular children's Easter Egg roll on the White House lawn.
Nineteenth President
Rutherford B. Hayes
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment