Lucy Hayes

Born on August 28, 1831, in Ohio, Lucy Webb was the third child and first daughter of Dr. James and Maria Cook. Her parents were committed to the abolition of slavery, and in 1833, Lucy’s father traveled to Kentucky to free enslaved people he had legally inherited; during that trip, Dr. Cook became ill with cholera and died. 

In her early teens, Lucy studied in the college preparation program at Ohio Wesleyan University. She socially met Rutherford B. Hayes, a scholar who was nine years older than her, but neither had a romantic interest at the time. Focused on her education, Lucy transferred to Cincinnati Wesleyan Female College, graduating in 1850. Her college essays focused on religious controversies and social movements, including women’s suffrage. In 1850, Lucy became reacquainted with Hayes through the encouragement of his sister, and over time, they fell in love and became engaged the following year. Lucy Webb and Rutherford Hayes married on December 30, 1852, in a small ceremony at her mother’s home.

While her husband expanded his law career, Lucy focused on their family, and in the following years, the couple had eight children. She strongly influenced his political and social views, encouraging him to take court cases which defended freedom for enslaved people who had escaped and sought liberty in Ohio. Perhaps surprisingly, Lucy favored the Civil War, believing it would be transformative for the country. She encouraged her husband to enlist in the 23rd Ohio Regiment, occasionally visited his headquarters and volunteered to care for the sick and wounded alongside her brother who was a doctor. Soldiers in the regiment called her “Mother Lucy” and gratefully accepted her care and supplies. She encouraged her husband to be sure that formerly enslaved people seeking freedom within Union lines should be assured of safety and protected from being returned to slavery.

Lt. Col. Hayes was wounded during the Battle of South Mountain on September 14, 1862, and Lucy traveled to Maryland to care for him during his recovery. Later that autumn, he was promoted to colonel and took command of a brigade. In 1864, Hayes fought at the Battle of Cloyd’s Mountain and in many of the battles in the 1864 Autumn Campaign in the Shenandoah Valley. While still serving the army, Hayes was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and after the war’s end in 1865, he took his seat in Congress. 

Lucy joined her husband in Washington D.C. and frequently observed congressional debates from the gallery. In 1866, she journeyed with Hayes to Memphis and New Orleans to witness the aftermath scenes of race riots; Hayes to continue arguing and voting for protection and civil rights for freedmen. 

The following year—1867—Hayes ran for governor of Ohio, winning the election and re-election in 1892. As First Lady of Ohio, Lucy supported and influenced her husband’s efforts to reform prisons, improve hospitals and asylums and build schools for the deaf and blind. They also advocated for equal rights for Black Ohioans and support for Union veterans and veterans’ orphans. Lucy petitioned the state government for funding for social reform and personally helped to establish an orphanage for veterans’ children. After a term out of office, Hayes sought re-election as governor in 1875, winning a third term. 

Rutherford Hayes accepted the Republican Party’s nomination to run for president in 1876. After a highly contested and controversial election, they learned on March 2, 1877, that his election had been decided, Reconstruction would come to an end, and he would take the oath of office three days later.
As the Hayes moved in the White House, Lucy found ways to repurpose furnishings to hide the need for repairs and redecorating until Congress approved the funding. Popular with Washington society and curious journalists, Lucy Hayes was the first woman to be noticeably called the “First Lady.” She invited cousins and nieces to join her and her daughters at the White House to organize social occasions. Shortly after her first state dinner, President Hayes requested that alcoholic beverages be banned since he was trying to secure the votes of Temperance advocates in Congress. People and the press alternately praised and blamed Lucy Hayes for her husband’s public “teetotaler” stance.

Lucy brought a family-style to the White House, preferring casual receptions and carefully inviting the staff and their families to join the Hayes family for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. She hosted informal singalongs and formal concerts, letting political leaders gather and connect with music; she invited the first African-American professional musician to play a formal, recognized concert at the White House. Reflecting their family values, President and Mrs. Hayes celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a White House gathering. To the structure and social administration of the executive mansion, Lucy added the modern conveniences of running water, a telephone and a typewriter and oversaw additions to the greenhouse conservatories. She was known for sending flowers from the White House greenhouse to local hospitals and many friends. She sponsored scholarships and donated significantly to charities, believing that she could set a moral example for the nation. Lucy Hayes reached out to previous First Ladies, befriending Sarah Polk, Julia Tyler and Julia Grant; she insisted that portraits of Martha Washington and Dolley Madison should be displayed in the White House.

With and without the president, Lucy traveled the country. Her public schedule—a first for a First Lady—included tours and visits of museums, women’s schools and orphanages. She journeyed to the West Coast and during the trip met with Native American women, hearing their stories and advocacy for tribal land. 

After her husband left the presidential office after one term, Lucy continued to advocate for social reforms and enjoy time with her family. She attended Union veteran reunions with her husband, became president of the Women’s Home Missionary Society of the Methodist Church and advocated for better educational opportunities for African Americans. 

Lucy Hayes died on June 25, 1889, following a sudden stroke. The nation mourned her death, flying flags at half-mast in her honor. Three years later, Rutherford Hayes died; the couple was buried at Spiegel Grove, their home in Ohio.