Questions from cspan audience, we tell the stories of american 45 first ladies. Ellen edith wilson on first ladies. This is about 90 minutes. Susan swain this is the Woodrow Wilson house in washington, d. C. , the home of our 28th president and former first Lady Edith Wilson after they left the white house in 1921. Youll be seeing more of it over the next two hours as we tell the story of the two Wilson Administration first ladies, ellen and edith. Susan swain ellen and woodrow met in their 20s and their love for each other was reflected in passionate letters. An accomplished artist as well as his intellectual companion, she helped guide his career from academia to politics. In adopting causes, she set an example for future first ladies. Ellen wilson died in the white house just a year and a half into the president s term. The grieving president soon met washington businesswoman edith galt through a mutual friend. They married after a secret courtship and edith wilson served as first l
Bus. Coming up next, on the presidency, author William Hazelgrove talks about his book madam president , the secret presidency of edith wilson. She married Woodrow Wilson after his first wife died in the white house and when he suffered a massive stroke in 1919, it was edith who guarded access to the recovering president. The president Woodrow Wilson house in washington, d. C. Hosted this hour long event. Okay. Well, welcome, everyone, to the Woodrow Wilson house. Im thrilled to see you all here tonight. Im carrie villar, the interim director at the wilson house. And just before we get started, point out the portrait on the wall. I think it is thats the lady were going to be talking about tonight. And it is fitting that were here. Her birthday was a couple of days ago, so to be here celebrating her birthday. Were indebted to edith wilson for her forethought and commitment to preserving her husbands legacy. Without her generosity, the wilson house wouldnt exist. Shes the woman who saved
Ms. Swain this is the Woodrow Wilson house in washington d. C. , the home of our 28th president and former first Lady Edith Wilson after they left the white house in 1921. Youll be seeing more of it over the next two hours as we tell the story of the two Wilson Administration first ladies, ellen and edith. Ellen and woodrow met in their 20s and their love for each other was reflected in passionate letters. An accomplished artist as well as his intellectual companion, she helped guide his career from academia to politics. In adopting causes, she set an example for future first ladies. Ellen wilson died in the white house just a year and a half into the president s term. The grieving president soon met washington businesswoman edith galt through a mutual friend. They married after a secret courtship and edith wilson served as first lady for more than five years. Her unprecedented role in managing the president s affairs after he suffered a stroke remains one of the most controversial eff
Example for future first ladies, ellen wilson died just a year and half into the president s term. The grieving president soon met washington businesswoman edith galt. They married after a secret courtship and edith wilson served as first lady for more than five years. Her unprecedented role in managing the president s affairs after he suffered a stroke remains are the most controversial efforts of any first lady. Tonight, the story of the Wilson Administrations two first ladies, ellen and edith. We have two tragc deaths here to tell you about these two interesting women and the times in which they lived. Her book is allen and edith, Woodrow Wilsons first ladies. John mills cooper is Woodrow Wilsons biographer. Thanks for being with us. We have been telling the stories chronologically, but Everybody Knows about edith wilson managing the white house as it is described after her husband suffers a stroke. We will tell that story first because so many people really want to know what happen
In 1907. By 1908, he had scribbled on a little note somewhere. My precious one, my beloved mary. I dont think he sent it to her. I think he was venting her feelings. Ellen was upset. She accused him of emotional love for this woman. But she tolerated mary and tried to protect woodrow from the scandal. There still was some scandal. Theodore roosevelt was invited in the 1912 election to make use of this. Somebody said that they had letters between woodrow and mary. And although they were never as ardent as his letters to ellen had been, they were simply compromising. And roosevelt said, no, that would be wrong. And also that nobody would believe him. Yeah. Because that was that was very noble of Theodore Roosevelt. But you said you said, what i cant believe that somebody who looks like the apoth cares cud could be romeo. I dont believe that. Doing the best t. R. Invitation on the program. No. This momentous on the United States and those who enter world war i. What happens in the white h