HELEN HERRON TAFT

The President’s (William Howard Taft’s) wife was a college graduate and an ardent feminist who had played an active part in her husband’s affairs both as an advisor, and reviewer of speeches and other drafts as well as a public role {638463} especially in the Philippines where she was loved and admired by the populace and the elites. Shortly after her husband assumed the presidency, she had a very serious and debilitating stroke and never again served as a political advisor and confidant. There are many who correlate this with Taft’s presidency which was not very successful compared to his brilliant success at every other public position. The Tafts—unusual for the time—had always worked closely as a team, and then that ended, Taft’s public performance suffered.

This was quite a radical, feminist statement at the time. But it gives us a good insight into the sexism that then existed where for many the belief was that a young woman would be harmed by a college education.

She accompanied William Howard Taft at his inauguration from the Capitol to the White House—what we call the ‘Inaugural Parade’. No first lady had ever done that, and there was much criticism. However, she was a staunch feminist and so was the new President—see {639924} .

She was politically very well educated and experienced as well. See {640707}.

She was the first Presidential Spouse to openly declare and assume the role of a public figure.

Although Campaigning in the heart of the conservative Midwest, she had no compunction about advocating women’s suffrage.

She accompanied William Howard Taft at his inauguration from the Capitol to the White House—what we call the ‘Inaugural Parade’. No first lady had ever done that, and there was much criticism. However, she was a staunch feminist and so was the new President—see {639924} .

She was politically very well educated and experienced as well. See {640707}.

She was the first Presidential Spouse to openly declare and assume the role of a public figure.

Although Campaigning in the heart of the conservative Midwest, she had no compunction about advocating women’s suffrage.

This was quite a radical, feminist statement at the time. But it gives us a good insight into the sexism that then existed where for many the belief was that a young woman would be harmed by a college education.