First Lady of the United States and provided elite women with opportunities to play backstage political roles. Both Martha Washington and Abigail Adams were treated as if they were "ladies" of the British royal court. Dolley Madison popularized the First Ladyship by engaging in efforts to assist orphans and women, by dressing in elegant fashions and attracting newspaper coverage, and by risking her life to save iconic treasures during the War of 1812. Madison set the standard for the ladyship and her actions were the model for nearly every First Lady until Eleanor Roosevelt in the 1930s. She traveled widely and spoke to many groups, often
SS United States: Lady in Waiting the artist later released on a 55-minute-long DVD. A charity screening of the documentary was held on March 11, 2010, the money raised going to the cause of saving the endangered SS United States. "Lady in Waiting" was well received, with critic Kristiane Schmitt of Professional Mariner magazine saying "The film truly takes off when it launches into the ship's fascinating story," Booklist reviewer Candace Smith said "Fascinating for ship and history buffs and anyone who enjoys glimpsing the glamorous past." SS United States: Lady in Waiting SS United States: Lady in Waiting is a 2008 documentary film about the