Florence Harding

 

 Meet Florence Harding, the feisty and influential American first lady who rocked the White House during her husband's presidency. From her rebellious upbringing to her controversial past, Florence was a force to be reckoned with. Despite facing challenges and scandal, she never backed down and played a key role in shaping her husband's success in business and politics. Join us on a journey through the life of this energetic and strong-willed woman who made a lasting impact on American history. Born in Ohio, Florence's life was anything but ordinary, filled with twists and turns that kept everyone guessing. Discover the untold story of Florence Harding, a woman ahead of her time, in this captivating tale of power, influence, and resilience.

In addition to her work at The Marion Star, Florence also became involved in various community organizations and social causes. She was a member of the Women's Relief Corps, a group dedicated to supporting Civil War veterans and their families. Florence was also active in the local chapter of the Daughter’s of the American Revolution, where she worked to promote patriotism and historical preservation.

Florence's marriage to Warren Harding would eventually lead her into the world of politics. When Warren was elected to the Ohio State Senate in 1899, Florence played an active role in his campaign and supported him in his political endeavors. This marked the beginning of Florence's involvement in her husband's political career, which would eventually culminate in his election as the 29th President of the United States in 1920.

Despite the challenges she faced in her personal life, Florence Harding's dedication to her community and her support for her husband's political ambitions helped shape her legacy as a strong and influential First Lady.

During his time in the U.S. Senate, Warren Harding developed a close relationship with Carrie Phillips, a friend of his wife Florence. Their romantic involvement caused a scandal in their hometown of Marion, Ohio. However, after Harding was elected to the Senate in 1914, the relationship ended as the Harding’s moved to Washington, D.C. Despite this, rumors persisted about Harding's affairs, including one with Nan Britton, who claimed that Harding had fathered her child. In 2015, DNA tests confirmed this claim.

Florence Harding played a significant role in her husband's political career, helping with campaign decisions and cultivating relationships with the press. She also made the White House more accessible to the public, hosting garden parties and opening the mansion for tours. While not a feminist leader, she expressed progressive views on women's careers in her letters.

Before returning to Marion, Florence Harding destroyed many of the papers that could have documented more fully her role in what many observers consider the worst presidency in the country’s history. Despite her efforts to carefully craft her husband Warren Harding's image, the Teapot Dome Scandal exposed his flaws and tarnished his legacy. Florence played a significant role in Warren's presidency, with one biographer even suggesting she was a "full partner" in his administration. She passed away in 1924 and was laid to rest beside her husband in a grand mausoleum near their wedding site. Florence Harding's legacy remains complex, with historians continuing to debate her influence and impact on American politics during the early 20th century.

Florence's health struggles, including nephritis, were kept private, leaving the public shocked by President Harding's sudden death in 1923. She lived only a year after his death in 1924 and was buried beside her husband in a large mausoleum near the house where they were married.

Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty years of experience in writing with 12 of those years in the online content sphere. Author of 5 books and a Graduate with an Associate of Arts from Pheonix University in Business Management, then a degree in Mass Communication and Cyber Analysis from Phoenix University, then on to Walden University for her master’s in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft and is currently studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology, her work portfolio includes coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime. In her spare time, Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, pen and ink, Gouache, and pastels. As a political operative having worked on over 300 campaigns during her career, Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 6 blogs that range from art to life coaching, to food, to writing, and opinion or history pieces each week.