New! Podcast Spotlights Former First Lady Dolley Madison
American FLOTUS and FLARE host Holly Shulman, co-author of "The Selected Letters of Dolley Payne Madison".
The First Ladies Association for Research and Education (FLARE) in collaboration with the American FLOTUS podcast has released the episode “Dolley Madison: Her Life and Letters” featuring Holly Shulman, co-author of The Selected Letters of Dolley Payne Madison. The new episode dropped on Tuesday and corresponds with the recent 257th birthday of the former first lady.
Host Alan Lowe moderates the discussion with Shulman, a research professor at the University of Virginia for more than 20 years. Shulman has contributed to first lady scholarship with work including shedding light on the life and legacy of Dolley Madison and as editor of the Dolley Madison Digital Edition, which includes 3,400 letters and more than 3,500 documents.
In the podcast episode, Shulman shares details about the former first lady including some of the intimate history in the relationship between Dolley and her husband James Madison, the fourth president of the United States; Dolley Madison’s role in decorating the White House; how to interpret her Inauguration Day attire; how she was slandered by political enemies; and the story of her heroic rescue of the Gilbert Stewart portrait of George Washington during the War of 1812.
FLARE founding members and co-authors of Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America’s History-Making Women, Diana Carlin and Nancy Kegan Smith, also helped mark Dolley Madison’s 257th birthday last week with the program “Dolley Madison: The Unifier” presented at the Dolley Madison Legacy Luncheon at James Madison’s Montpelier in Virginia where more than 200 people attended.
The Dolley Madison podcast is available online at American FLOTUS. Additionally, a transcript of the podcast also is available on the FLARE website.
Calendar
June 12, 2025
Eleanor Roosevelt: Censorship, Past & Present
The Eleanor Roosevelt Center presents the in-person panel discussion “Eleanor Roosevelt and Censorship, Past and Present” from 6 to 7 p.m. on June 12 at Vassar College. This panel, moderated by Vassar Professor Emerita of History Miriam Cohen, will explore the legacy of Eleanor Roosevelt’s fight for free expression, the past and present of intellectual freedom, global censorship trends, and what Roosevelt’s legacy can teach us in this moment.
The panelists featured are Blanche Wiesen Cook, distinguished professor of history and women’s studies at John Jay College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York and author of her definitive biography of Eleanor Roosevelt, Vol I The Early Years 1884–1933; Vol II The Defining Years 1933- 1938; Vol III The War Years and After 1939-1962; Daniel Shank Cruz, the Special Assistant for U.S. Free Expression Programs at PEN America; Yana Gorokhovskaia, research director for strategy and design at Freedom House; and Lee Rowland, executive director of the National Coalition Against Censorship. All ticket proceeds benefit our 2nd Annual Bravery in Literature “Banned Book Awards” Ceremony on October 11th, which honors authors whose books are challenged or banned. Read more
June 13, 2025
Legacy Lecture: Tea Time Tales of Widowed First Ladies
The National First Ladies Library & Museum presents Los Angeles-based comedian Lauren Howard Hayes, a first lady enthusiast, in the one-woman show: Tea Time Tales of Widowed First Ladies. The event will be presented virtually from noon to 1 p.m. ET.
In this performative yet informative multimedia event, Hayes brings to life the stories, secrets, and personalities of former First Ladies Mary Lincoln, Ida McKinley, Lucretia Garfield, and Jackie Kennedy in a hilarious and insightful blend of character comedy and historical storytelling. Read more
June 19, 2025
Third Thursday Wine & Cheese: Mary Lincoln’s Fashion Legacy
To honor Juneteenth, for one night only, the National First Ladies Library & Museum will unveil a breathtaking Civil War-era capelet designed by former First Lady Mary Lincoln’s dressmaker and confidante, Elizabeth Keckley—a talented Black designer who left a lasting mark on fashion and history. This exclusive, in-person showcase at 6:30 p.m EST will transport visitors to an era where style and politics intertwined, offering a rare glimpse into the first lady’s wardrobe and her remarkable relationship with Keckley. Read more
June 23, 2025
Cooking with the First Ladies with Sarah Morgan
The National First Ladies Library & Museum presents “Cooking with the First Ladies With Sarah Morgan,” a virtual program exploring the life and legacy of Barbara Bush—the beloved first lady known for her grace, compassion, and commitment to literacy. This virtual program brings history and cooking together and will guide participants through a recipe that Barbara Bush herself loved while sharing fascinating stories from Barbara’s time in the White House. Read more
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