Abigail
Adams was the first Second Lady and the second First Lady of the
United States. She was the nation's first First Lady in the White
House when the capitol moved to Washington DC in 1800. Her husband
John Adams was the second US President and her son John Quincy
Adams was the sixth. While John Adams stayed in Philadelphia during
the Continental Congress, he and Abigail wrote many letters back
and forth. In the letters, John Adams sought advice from his wife
on many political issues of the time, and Abigail's correspondence
serves as a valuable historical perspective on the Revolutionary
War. While many First Ladies purposely avoid the political limelight,
Abigail Adams was so politically active and vocal about policies
and issues, that critics referred to her as "Mrs. President."
One of her major concerns was advocating for women's rights, particularly
concerning a woman's right to own property and opportunities for
education for girls. Another concern was speaking out against
the institution of slavery. The 1200 letters between Abigail and
her husband portray an intimate portrait of one of the nation's
important founding families, and historians have described Abigail
Adams as one of the most extraordinary women in history.
