Mary's Reputation

[Tom Emery]

Laurie makes a good point on women sometimes being nasty to other women.

I've spoken to a number of women who think Mary was "nuts" or "crazy" (their words, not mine). They showed very little regard for a woman who had suffered terribly. Fortunately, not everyone feels that way. And, as I've said before, I think that the winds seem to be changing on Mary. People seem to be more sympathetic than in the past.

I agree with the posts on Eleanor Roosevelt, which is why I worded my post "Few First Ladies...." Again, going back to a point Laurie made -- The First Ladies we're talking about (Mary, Eleanor, Hillary) are some of the highest-profile Presidential wives ever. I think that some people have trouble, even today, with strong-willed women, and these three certainly were that. I think that's one reason they experienced the controversy they did.

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As for Emilie spending 14 days there, I think that's a significant amount of time, based on the ramifications -- the fact her husband had served the Confederacy, her own vocal Confederate leanings, the political implications for Lincoln of having Confederate supporters in the White House even if they were family, etc.

There have been some unusual White House guests over the years, to be sure. But we can all agree on Emilie's inability to not voice her opinions, a Todd family trait.