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On 29 January 1958 House Bill 12, calling for the designation of June 2 of each succeeding year as First Lady's Day in Virginia, was passed by the House of Delegates. The proposed legislation sought to honor and recognize the contributions of the nation's first ladies who were born in the state of Virginia. To acknowledge the first and most famous Virginian who served as first lady, the sponsors of this bill chose to designate June 2, the birthdate of Martha Dandridge Custis Washington (1731–1802), as First Lady's Day. Praised for her "unique and conspicuous position of distinction as a participant in the founding of the United States of America," Martha Washington was considered by many to have defined the role of the nation's first lady. Recognizing that other "Virginia born successors" had also played important roles in the history of the United States, this act also called for honoring them. Other Virginians who have served as first lady include Letitia Christian Tyler (1790–1842) and Edith Bolling Galt Wilson (1872–1961).* Though many Virginians of the day may have known several or all of the Virginia-born presidents, few would have been familiar with Virginia's first ladies. With the passage of this act, legislators hoped to bring the accomplishments and signficance of these important Virginia women to light. * Though born in Virginia and married to presidents, Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson (1748–1782), Rachel Donelson Robards Jackson (1767–1828), and Ellen Lewis Herndon Arthur (1837–1880) are not designated first ladies because all three died before their husbands took office. Introduction |
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