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
First Lady of the Revolution as part of Reel South on PBS, a series that exhibits documentaries focusing on the Southern United States and the region's diverse voices and points of view. Following its premiere at Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival in 2016, Rick Harmon of Montgomery Advertiser wrote "It's a fascinating documentary...it leaves viewers hungering for more..." According to Eric Ginsburg of Triad City Beat "First Lady of the Revolution" "offers a unique perspective on a conflict that’s often overlooked." "First Lady of the Revolution" was the winner of the Audience Choice Award at Fairhope Film Festival and the Hoka Award for Best Documentary Feature