Dolley Madison
This “Lady Presidentress” (the original title for the First Lady of the United States) was well-known for her activities during the War of 1812 when British forces invaded the country. She waited until the last possible moment to flee, saving a painting of George Washington and other government documents.
Dolley Madison hosted political dinners and was the first First Lady to remodel the White House. She also fostered orphans and assisted with networking during her husband James’ presidential campaign in 1808.
Dolley Madison was known to find a compromise between the president’s democratic focus and the belief that the White House should be exclusively available to a select few people. She began having weekly White House events, welcoming anyone who wanted to come in and interacting freely with her visitors.
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