The wife of President William Howard Taft, she served as the First Lady of the United States from 1909 to 1913. During her time in the White House, William Howard Taft’s wife played a key role in arranging the planting of 3,020 Japanese cherry trees around the Washington Tidal Basin—an initiative that continues to be celebrated today. Before stepping into the national spotlight, she was born into a family deeply rooted in both politics and the arts. Her path crossed with William Howard Taft’s at a lively bobsledding party in Cincinnati, where their connection began. Together, the couple welcomed two sons and a daughter, building a warm and devoted family life.
She really believed in the power of entertainment and enjoying a drink, even when prohibition was causing quite a stir across the political scene back then. She stood by her views, thinking that people deserved moments of joy, and for her, that often meant music, laughter, and yes—alcohol. Despite the debates raging around her, she never wavered in her belief that life should be lived fully. And honestly, that kind of spirit made her stand out. She wasn’t just following trends; she was making her own choices, guided by what felt right to her.