James Garfield Historic Site Hosts Special First Ladies Program

In recognition of March’s designation as Women’s History Month, will host a special free program about the nation’s first ladies at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Site volunteer Andy Curtiss will present "The Second-Toughest Job in the World: First Ladies of the United States" in the visitor center auditorium.

He will explore the ways in which first ladies’ roles have changed and evolved over the years, share a few human interest stories about first ladies and talk about Mentor’s own first lady, Lucretia Garfield.

She served as first lady for just 200 days during her husband James A. Garfield’s brief presidency in 1881.

"Women’s History Month is a very appropriate time to take a closer look at the role first ladies have played in American history," said Sherda Williams, the park's superintendent.

"Andy’s talk will go a long way toward explaining just how first ladies have influenced not only their presidential husbands, but also the course of American political and social movements. This will be a very interesting and informative program for everyone."