Abigail Adams
Abigail Adams is best remembered as the closest confidant and advisor of John Adams. In many ways, she is taken as one of the founding figures of America. Although titles of Second Lady and First lady were rarely used during the early years of the 1800s, Abigail is considered as the designated holder of the above titles. As the mother of John Quincy Adams, Abigail Adams took a central role in influencing John Adam’s administration and much of Congressional decisions (Cappon 2015). Through her letters to John Adams, Abigail Adams contributed in many ways on numerous legislations, the establishment of the Constitution, and public policies that affected the common populace. For example, she is remembered as an instrumental force before, during, and after the American Revolutionary War.
Many accessed the president through her and she played a vital role in upholding her husband’s policies, political decisions, and career in general. According to Cappon (2012), she is best remembered as the first occupant of the White House when she moved into the Presidential Home (Moynagh 2016). She played a key role in designing and making the White House habitable with the East Room remaining a favorite place for her laundry. Despite her husband’s defeat in a reelection, she continued to make follow up on her son’s career in politics in addition to keeping in touch with other influential political figures such as Thomas Jefferson.
According to Moynagh (2016), important, memorable activities on women rights, slavery, and religious activities remained landmarks in her legacy. For example, she pioneered the campaign against slavery and is mostly remembered for her strong belief that slavery continued to be a threat to the democratic growth of the United States. Additionally, her religious beliefs and writings influenced many, especially her faith in the Supreme God. Far and beyond, Moynagh (2016), argues that Abigail Adams remains a feminist and strong-minded woman in both social circles and political platforms during her public life.
References
Cappon, L. J. (Ed.). (2012). The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence Between Thomas Jefferson and Abigail and John Adams. UNC Press Books.
Moynagh, P. (2016). Abigail Adams is often held up as a feminist thinker and rightly so. Her most quoted line “Remember the Ladies” appears in a letter, dated March 31, 1776, written to her husband, John Adams, future president of the United States. But at this moment, the United States is not. Fifty-One Key Feminist Thinkers, 1.