Wonder Woman of the Week: Abigail Adams

While not the first First Lady, this week's spotlight was perhaps the best example of one. During her husband's presidency, Abigail Adams set an example for future First Ladies to be the voice in the president's ear, a voice of political reason and civil rights, and an active participant in the political climate of the American capital. Adams grew up reading the English and French literature of the men in her family- denied an education based on her sex. That self-education led the young girl to understand international politics, economics, and religion from an early age.

Abigail Adams surprised her metropolitan family when she married a small-town lawyer (future president John Adams), but her family eventually became happy for her when John Adams proved his respect for Abigail's voice of reason. The two moved to Boston during the 1760's, but moved when violent protests began to spread into whispers of revolution- sending the couple back to John's country roots in rural Massachusetts. When the American Revolution broke out, the Continental Congress ordered John Adams to travel to France to negotiate for an alliance with the French monarch. Abigail followed along and constantly reminded her husband to keep in mind the rights of women and of freedmen (former slaves and their descendents).

After the revolution, the United States began laying the foundations for a strong, central government. The new capital of Washington DC replaced Philadelphia and John Adams became the first president to reside in the new presidential house in that new capital- the building that would become the White House. While negotiating the establishment of the new Constitution and in the several Federalist Papers, John Adams constantly sought advice from his spouse- who often lent powerful political advice. Abigail also spoke in the public sphere- speaking on the topics of domestic and international politics, civil rights for women and freedmen, and advocating for several of her husband's proposed laws to Congress including the Alien and Sedition Acts.

In 1800, John Adams' greatest political rival- Thomas Jefferson- defeated Adams in his reelection campaign. The two refused to speak for years, but Abigail Adams eventually managed to convince the two lifelong friends to reconnect and revive their healthy political rivalry. Abigail also worked adamantly to support her son- John Quincy Adams- political career. At one point, Abigail's son became the US Ambassador to the Russian Empire and eventually would also become a US president. While Martha Washington was the first First Lady, Abigail Adams was the true first example for every successive White House spouse. Abigail Adams was such a political force in Washington that her contemporaries referred to her as Mrs. President and even her husband's greatest rivals respected her skill at politics.