American Experience: Dolley Madison Women’s History Month Event

FILM & ROUNDTABLE: Madison was a pivotal player in the early days of the American Republic. She survived two separate wars and maintained friendships with several prominent Americans, including the first 12 presidents. She was known as Queen Dolley and established the role of the president’s wife, becoming arguably the first First Lady. The documentary follows from humble Quaker upbringing to her funeral the largest for a woman that the nation had ever seen. Dean Kotlowski a historian of presidential politics, and Kara French, a U.S. women’s historian of presidential politics, and Kara French, a U.S. women’s historian, discuss the progression of women as political actors from the age of Dolley Madison to the present. A reception follows.