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Dolley Madison Influence

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Dolley Madison will always be remembered for her generous hospitality, kind words, and powerful influence in her role as First Lady of the United States of America. Her lack of formal education did not detract from her intelligence in the least, being clever, sensible, and acute. She is noted for her impact on the role of future First Ladies, often referred to as “the first First Lady”. Although she was much younger than her husband President James Madison, the two had an extremely stable marriage; correspondence between them proves this. Throughout her life, Dolley Madison was beloved by the American people.
Although Dolley’s childhood is not described in detail, it was an important time in her life and later influenced her political role. …show more content…

The same evening, Dolley hosted the first Inaugural Ball, which was a great success (“First Lady”). Revered for her politeness, hospitality, and social attitude, she had little formal schooling but was a quick learner (“Dolley Madison’s Biography”). “Queen Dolley” was also fashionable. Abandoning the somber Quaker clothing soon after marrying Madison, she dressed regally yet simply, with her signature turban becoming a popular trend. She was a public celebrity and the first First Lady to appear on a magazine cover as well as have a ship named after her (“First Lady”). However, unlike many current celebrities, Dolley was not only stylish but reached out to others with her warm nature and kindness. A unique gift for setting people at ease made her famous for settling many political quarrels (Klapthor 14). Her close friend, Margaret Bayard Smith, noted that “Every visitor left her with the pleasing impression of being an especial favorite, of having been the object of peculiar attention. [Dolley] never forgot a name she had once heard, nor a face she had once seen, nor the personal circumstances connected with every individual of her acquaintance” (“Dolley Madison’s Biography”). Every Wednesday, she held “squeezes”, or small parties where current politicians were invited. The gracious First Lady served many delicacies and also popularized ice cream (“Encyclopedia of World Biography”). Adroitly, she used these events to influence wives of important political figures as she painted her name in history (“Dolley

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