Mary Lincoln: non-feminist?

[LincolnToddFan]

(05-27-2014 04:18 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  This is how Jane Grey Swisshelm recalled one White House reception: "When I came to Mrs. Lincoln, she did not catch the name at first, and asked to hear it again, then repeated it, and a sudden glow of pleasure lit her face, as she held out her hand and said how very glad she was to see me. I objected to giving her my hand because my black glove would soil her white one; but she said: 'Then I shall preserve the glove to remember a great pleasure, for I have long wished to see you.'...I understood at once that I had met one with whom I was in sympathy. No politeness could have summoned that sudden flash of pleasure...I recognized Mrs. Lincoln as a loyal, liberty-loving woman, more staunch even than her husband in opposition to the Rebellion and its cause, and as my very dear friend for life."
(Jane Grey Swisshelm: "Half a Century", p. 237.)
https://archive.org/stream/halfcentury00swis

Eva E,

Thanks for printing this anecdote. It shows Mary at her best, the part of her that was overshadowed by incidents such as occurred at City Point.

Jane Swisshelm was prepared to dislike Mrs. Lincoln and ended up being her staunch friend and advocate for the rest of her life. She genuinely mourned and wrote a moving obituary when Mary passed away.