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Martha Washington biography

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  • NAME: Martha Washington
  • OCCUPATION: U.S. First Lady
  • BIRTH DATE: June 02, 1731
  • DEATH DATE: May 22, 1802
  • PLACE OF BIRTH: Chestnut Grove Plantation (near Williamsburg), Virginia
  • PLACE OF DEATH: Mount Vernon, Virginia
  • Maiden Name: Martha Dandridge
  • AKA: Martha Custis
  • Full Name: Martha Dandridge Custis Washington
  • AKA: Martha Custis Washington
  • Nickname: "Lady Washington"
  • AKA: Martha Dandridge Custis
  • AKA: Martha Washington

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As the original U.S. first lady, Martha Washington set many of the standards and customs that came to be observed by future president's wives.


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Born Martha Dandridge on June 2, 1731, at the Chestnut Grove Plantation (near Williamsburg) in Virginia, Martha Washington was already a wealthy widow when she wed George Washington in 1759. As the original U.S. first lady, Martha, also known as "Lady Washington," helped set many of the customs and standards that came to be observed by future president's wives. She died on May 22, 1802, in Mount Vernon, Virginia.

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      When the 19th Amendment was ratified, women were finally given the right to vote, and over the years many courageous women have stepped onto the national political stage as well. In 1916, Jeannette Rankin became the first woman elected to Congress and almost a century later Sonia Sotomayor became the first Latina woman to serve on the Supreme Court. And within the last two decades, the esteemable Hillary Clinton has served as First Lady, a New York senator and Secretary of State. These women, and many more, are setting the stage for the future of female leaders in Washington.

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