Posted:Thu Jan 15, 2009 4:51 PM CST
The First Female President of the United States
For six and one-half months, from September 26, 1919, to April 13, 1920, a woman was virtually President of the United States. During that time span, Edith Bolling Wilson fulfilled the dream of Susan B. Anthony. She was, so to speak, not only acting President, but secretary to the President, and Secretary of State. Between September 26 and October 4, when Woodrow Wilson was paralyzed by a blood clot on the brain, Mrs. Wilson assumed the reins, and she remained in command from that day until April 13, 1920, when Wilson resumed meetings with his cabinet. But she remained his coregent until the end, March 4, 1921. No act of Woodrow Wilson from September 26, 1919, until the end of his life was undertaken without the knowledge and consent of Edith Bolling Wilson. While Wilson was on his back she exercised the functions of the President alone. When he was able to participate, she shared with him the government of the United States. No senator, no member of the cabinet, not the President's own secretary, could gain a glimpse of Wilson without her permission. Her whim decided whether a king or an ambassador was to be received, whether a bill awaiting the President's signature would become law or not. Four bills had become laws without the President's signature and in default of any action by him. Although Mrs. Wilson acted only in the name of the President, some communications from the White House bore her signature. With shaky hand Wilson signed the few letters and documents placed before him by his wife. Everything likely to disturb his peace of mind was withheld. Mrs. Wilson (remarked the astute David Lawrence), stood between her husband and the government, indeed between him and the outside world. Even the private secretary, Mr. Tumulty, refrained from entering the bedchamber except when sent for. He placed his memoranda on vital questions before Mrs. Wilson, leaving it to her to discover the proper moment to ask the President for his opinion or decision. She was, so to speak, the reigning monarch.