'First Ladies' Lecture Highlights Presidential Wives' Duties

SALISBURY, MD---The saying “Behind every great man stands a great woman” holds true for U.S. presidents, too. Dr. James McCallops of Salisbury University’s History Department discusses how presidential wives have sometimes helped run the country in his lecture, “First Ladies,” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 18, in Henson Science Building Room 101. “Most people know how influential Eleanor Roosevelt was, but few realize that other first ladies also contributed, sometimes in substantial ways, to presidential decisions,” McCallops said. Included in the discussion are Edith Wilson’s handling of government issues following her husband Woodrow’s debilitating stroke and the partnership Florence Harding had with her husband, Warren, during their stay in the White House. “Warren often commented that without Florence's drive, he would have never achieved his level of success,” McCallops said. A part of SU’s Women’s History Month commemoration, the event is free and the public is cordially invited. For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.