Abigail Adams
Abigail Adams was the second First Lady of the United States of America. She was married in 1764 to John Adams, the second President of the United States of America.
Despite being the second first lady, Abigail Adams didn't participate in politics or public life, though she wrote often to her husband, who sought her advice on a wide range of topics. She preferred to stay home, mend the clothes and tend the children. The Adamses had six children all told, although the last one (Elizabeth) died before she could be born. Therefore, Abigail had much woman's work to do around the house, including the homeschooling of her eldest son, John Quincy Adams.
She is noted for her letter to her husband and the Congressional Congress in March 1776, writing:
| “ | ...remember the ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the Ladies we are determined to foment a Rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation. | ” |
A few books have been written about Abigail Adams since her death in 1818 (during the Monroe presidency); the most influential is probably Fran Tarkenton's historical novel Abigail Adams. She has been portrayed in other media as well, including Laura Linney playing her in the 2008 HBO special.