Lucy Webb Hayes
| Lucy Hayes | |
|---|---|
 |
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| First Lady of the United States | |
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In role March 4, 1877 – March 4, 1881 |
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| President | Rutherford Hayes |
| Preceded by | Julia Grant |
| Succeeded by | Lucretia Garfield |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
August 28, 1831 Chillicothe, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | June 25, 1889 (aged 57) Fremont, Ohio, U.S. |
| Spouse(s) | Rutherford Hayes (1852–1889) |
| Children | Birchard Webb Rutherford Joseph George Fanny Scott Manning |
| Alma mater | Ohio Wesleyan University |
| Religion | Methodism |
| Signature |  |
Lucy Ware Webb Hayes (August 28, 1831 – June 25, 1889) was a First Lady of the United States and the wife of President Rutherford B. Hayes.
Lucy Hayes was the first First Lady to have a college degree. She was also a more egalitarian hostess than previous First Ladies. An advocate for African-Americans both before and after the Civil War, Lucy invited the first African-American professional musician to appear at the White House. She was a Past Grand of Lincoln Rebekah Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, together with her husband, President Rutherford Hayes.
Historians have christened her "Lemonade Lucy" due to her staunch support of the temperance movement; however, contrary to popular belief, she was never referred to by that nickname while living, and it was her husband who banned alcohol from the White House.
Lucy Webb Hayes was born on August 28, 1831 in Chillicothe, Ohio. Her parents were Dr. James Webb and Maria Cook. She had two older brothers who both became medical doctors.
In 1833, Lucy's father went to his family's home in Lexington, Kentucky to free 15-20 slaves he had inherited from his aunt. There was a cholera epidemic happening at the time and James cared for the sick. Soon James became infected with cholera himself and died. Friends of Lucy's mother advised the family to sell the slaves rather than free them. Maria responded that she would take in washing to earn money before she would sell a slave.
Maria's father, Isaac Cook, was a temperance advocate and he encouraged young Lucy to sign a pledge to abstain from alcohol.
In 1844, the Webb family moved to Delaware, Ohio. Lucy’s brothers enrolled at Ohio Wesleyan University and although women were not allowed to study at Wesleyan, Lucy was permitted to enroll in the college prep program at the university.
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