“I know what’s best for the President. I put him in the White House. He does well when he listens to me and poorly when he does not.”
First Ladies of the US Florence Harding Full Image

Florence Harding


Florence Mabel Kling DeWolfe Harding
Years of service: 1921-1923
Born: 1860


First Ladies of the US Florence Harding Full Image

Before marriage to Warren Harding in 1891, Florence was a divorcée and single mother who supported herself as a piano teacher. She assisted with the operations of the lucrative Ohio-based newspaper, The Marion Star, for fourteen years and encouraged her husband to venture into politics. Florence ran every aspect of his political career and considered the 1920 campaign the best time of her life. A women’s suffrage advocate, she was the first woman to vote for her husband for president. Florence consciously used her platform as First Lady to influence national change. She championed women’s education and advancement, inviting women’s organizations to the White House and posing with them for media exposure.

 

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Notice of Temporary Closure

Closed until further notice

Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, the National First Ladies Library & Museum—including the Visitor Center, Museum, Research Library, Gift Shop, and the historic Saxton McKinley House—will be closed until further notice.

For the latest updates on the First Ladies National Historic Site, please visit www.nps.gov/fila. Updates on our reopening will also be shared here on our website and through our social media channels.

We look forward to welcoming you back as soon as we are able.