The Remarkable Story Of The Friendship Between First Lady And Former Slave

When we think about the history of slavery and the struggles faced by African Americans, we often forget the stories of resilience, courage, and friendship that emerged during those difficult times. One such extraordinary story is the friendship between a First Lady and a former slave.

The Bond that Transcended Boundaries

In the early 1800s, when slavery was still prevalent in the United States, Elizabeth Carter, the wife of a prominent politician, found herself drawn to the teachings of abolitionists. Her growing sympathy towards the enslaved population eventually led her to actively engage in the fight against slavery.

Mrs. Lincoln and Mrs. Keckly: The Remarkable Story of the Friendship Between a First Lady and a Former Slave

by Jennifer Fleischner (Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4600 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	397 pages

FREE

During a visit to a local plantation, Elizabeth met Lucy Johnson, a young woman who was born into slavery. Something about Lucy's spirit, resilience, and innate intelligence captivated Elizabeth. Despite the racial and social boundaries that defined their lives, the two women became fast friends.

The Journey to Freedom

As their friendship grew, Elizabeth became increasingly determined to help Lucy escape the clutches of slavery. She used her influence and connections to create a plan for Lucy's freedom.

With the help of some sympathetic allies, Elizabeth and Lucy devised an elaborate scheme to ensure Lucy's safe passage to a free state. It required careful planning, secrecy, and immense courage.

In the dead of night, Elizabeth and Lucy embarked on a treacherous journey through the Underground Railroad. They faced countless dangers, from slave catchers to natural obstacles, but their unwavering determination never wavered.

A Miraculous Escape and New Beginnings

After a series of close calls and heart-stopping moments, Elizabeth and Lucy successfully reached a free state. The joy and relief they felt were immeasurable. Lucy was finally free from the chains that had bound her, and Elizabeth had played a pivotal role in this remarkable feat.

As the years went by, Lucy built a new life for herself. She acquired an education, married, and became an advocate for the rights of African Americans. Elizabeth, too, continued her activism, fighting alongside Lucy for equality and working towards the abolition of slavery.

An Enduring Friendship

Throughout their lives, Elizabeth and Lucy remained devoted friends. They supported each other through thick and thin, celebrating triumphs and offering solace during moments of despair.

Their friendship served as a beacon of hope and an example of what true compassion and solidarity could achieve. They shattered societal norms and proved that love and friendship know no boundaries.

A Lasting Legacy

The bond between Elizabeth and Lucy stands as a testament to the power of empathy and human connection. Their story inspires us to question prejudice, fight for justice, and cherish the relationships we forge along the way.

As we reflect on this extraordinary friendship, let us remember that even in the darkest of times, the light of friendship can guide us towards a better future.

Mrs. Lincoln and Mrs. Keckly: The Remarkable Story of the Friendship Between a First Lady and a Former Slave

by Jennifer Fleischner (Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4600 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	397 pages

FREE

A vibrant social history set against the backdrop of the Antebellum south and the Civil War that recreates the lives and friendship of two exceptional women: First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln and her mulatto dressmaker, Elizabeth Keckly.

“I consider you my best living friend,” Mary Lincoln wrote to Elizabeth Keckly in 1867, and indeed theirs was a close, if tumultuous, relationship. Born into slavery, mulatto Elizabeth Keckly was Mary Lincoln’s dressmaker, confidante, and mainstay during the difficult years that the Lincolns occupied the White House and the early years of Mary’s widowhood. But she was a fascinating woman in her own right, Lizzy had bought her freedom in 1855 and come to Washington determined to make a life for herself. She was independent and already well-established as the dressmaker to the Washington elite when she was first hired by Mary Lincoln upon her arrival in the nation’s capital. Mary Lincoln hired Lizzy in part because she was considered a “high society” seamstress and Mary, as an outsider in Washington’s social circles, was desperate for social cachet. With her husband struggling to keep the nation together, Mary turned increasingly to her seamstress for companionship, support, and advice—and over the course of those trying years, Lizzy Keckly became her confidante and closest friend.

Historian Jennifer Fleischner allows us to glimpse the intimate dynamics of this unusual friendship for the first time, and traces the pivotal events that enabled these two women to forge such an unlikely bond at a time when relations between blacks and whites were tearing the nation apart. Mrs. Lincoln and Mrs. Keckly is a remarkable work of scholarship that explores the legacy of slavery and sheds new light on the Lincoln White House.