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The Woman in the Frame

Season 4
September 18, 2019
First Ladies in the collections.

Did you know that Martha Washington was essential to America’s Revolutionary War effort? Or that Eleanor Roosevelt was the driving force behind the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights? According to journalist, writer, and commentator Cokie Roberts, many of America's First Ladies were dynamic, politically engaged trailblazers who are often overlooked. We sit down with the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery director, Kim Sajet, to talk about a recent episode of the museum’s new podcast, Portraits. In it, she and Cokie discuss four First Ladies who are remembered for their influence on American history.

Note: As many of you have probably heard, Cokie Roberts passed away in the days since we originally recorded this episode. Our heart goes out to all of Cokie’s family, friends, and people like us who have enjoyed her work for decades.

Transcript

Martha Washington in lace cap.

Martha Washington arrow-right

Dolley Madison in turban with a black dress and a red shawl.

Dolley Madison arrow-right

Eleanor Roosevelt by Bernard Frydrysiak.

Eleanor Roosevelt arrow-right

Nancy Reagan in a red dress with her hands in her pockets.

Nancy Reagan arrow-right

More Former First Ladies in the Collections

Martha Washington

Martha Washington

Postcard of a Dress of Martha Washington

Martha Washington

Stamp with illustration of the head of a light-skinned woman facing left with dark hair in a bun

22c Abigail Adams single

Abigail Adams

15c Dolley Madison single

Dolley Madison

Postcard of a Dress of Dolley Madison

Dolley Madison and Anna Payne

Mrs. John Quincy Adams

Postcard of a Dress of Sarah Childress Polk

Sarah Childress Polk

Abigail Powers Fillmore

Harriet Lane Johnston

Mary Todd Lincoln

Postcard of a Dress of Mary Todd Lincoln

Mary Todd Lincoln

Julia Dent Grant

Lucretia Rudolph Garfield (1832-1918)

Caroline Harrison

Frances Folsom Cleveland

Frances Folsom Cleveland

Frances Folsom Cleveland

Grover Cleveland and Frances Folsom Cleveland

Frances Folsom Cleveland

William, Ida and Nancy McKinley

Mrs. McKinley in the Conservatory of the Executive Mansion, Washington

Theodore Roosevelt Family

Helen Herron Taft

Ellen Louise Axson Monument [sculpture] / (photographer unknown)

Wilson Family

Edith Bolling Galt Wilson

Woodrow Wilson and Edith Bolling Galt Wilson

Grace Anna Goodhue Coolidge


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