C-SPAN recently traveled to Marion to learn about Florence Harding from Sherry Hall, Harding Home Museum and site manager, for their original series, “First Ladies: Influence and Image.” This episode featuring the Harding Home will air on Monday, September 30, 2013 at 9:00pm on C-SPAN networks.
A website dedicated to Florence has also been set up with video clips, book discussions and background information about her life and influence.
After her husband was elected, Florence Harding reportedly told him, “Well, Warren Harding, I got you the presidency. Now what are you going to do?”
1920 was the first presidential election in which women could vote nationwide and Florence Harding played a major role in the campaign. She managed Warren’s contacts, lobbied delegates on his behalf at the Republican convention, and helped write his public remarks. The campaign had scandals too – Warren had to make payoffs to silence a former mistress, and Florence falsely denied having a child from her first marriage.
As First Lady, she ordered the White House windows and gates opened to the public, resumed the Easter Egg roll, personally led guided tours, and posed for photos with a constant stream of visitors.
She was a political power broker in the administration: the President relied on her to help select certain cabinet members, and many of them sought her out to lobby the President on their behalf.
After her husband died in office, revelations emerged about corruption in his administration. In an effort to protect his legacy, Florence Harding burned hundreds of his letters and documents. She died one year later, after being First Lady for just two and a half years.
You can learn more about Florence Harding on First Ladies: Influence and Image and at www.c-span.org/firstladies.
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