Helen Herron Taft

Helen Louise Taft (née Herron) was born on June 2, 1861, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and died on May 22, 1943. She was the daughter of Harriet Collins Herron and lawyer John Williamson Herron. Helen was the fourth of eleven children in her family. Her father was a law partner of Rutherford B. Hayes and a classmate of Benjamin Harrison, both of whom became U.S. Presidents. Her mother was related to U.S. congressmen, establishing a familial connection to politics. Helen, commonly known as "Nellie," was raised amidst a politically active environment and developed an early interest in campaigning and public service.

She received her early education at Cincinnati's Miss Nourse School for Girls, focusing on multiple subjects including languages. She continued her education at Miami University and briefly attended the University of Cincinnati. As a child, she was musically talented and proficient in piano. Her family life was complicated by the large number of siblings, with eight surviving to adulthood, which contributed to her developing personal insecurities and a sense of independence. During her adolescence, she engaged in behaviors that challenged societal expectations for women of her social class, including smoking cigarettes, drinking whiskey, and gambling secretly.

In 1877, Helen Herron visited President Rutherford B. Hayes at the White House, an experience which inspired her desire to serve as First Lady someday. She initially wished to pursue a career outside the traditional roles of women at the time. She worked in her father's law office and taught French at a private school for two years starting in 1881, but she was dissatisfied with her career options. She also explored interests in writing and music but did not pursue them professionally.

Helen Herron first met William Howard Taft at a sledding party in 1880. Their families knew each other socially, and they participated together in community theater activities. Taft courted her through letters, flowers, and social outings, and she initially hesitated due to self-doubt. They became engaged secretly in June 1885 and married on June 19, 1886. The couple spent their honeymoon in Europe, traveling through England, Germany, and Italy. Upon returning to Cincinnati, they lived with her in-laws until their home was ready. Their marriage was characterized by mutual respect and intellectual companionship; she often advised and critiqued her husband's ideas and career choices.

Helen and William Taft had three children: Robert (b. 1889), Helen (b. 1891), and Charles (b. 1897). As her husband's career advanced, Helen became actively involved in his political life, managing household finances, organizing social events, and building political connections in Washington, D.C. When William Taft was appointed Solicitor General of the United States in 1890, Helen supported and assisted his political pursuits, which included helping him prepare for speeches and public appearances.

In 1900, her husband was appointed to help establish a government in the Philippines during American colonization following the Spanish-American War. Helen accompanied him, traveling through Hawaii and Japan en route. During their time in the Philippines, she sought to improve relations with the Filipino people by learning the language, wearing traditional clothing, and hosting social events. Her efforts contributed to diplomatic goodwill, and she advocated for the end of racial segregation practices in the Philippines.

William Howard Taft's political trajectory eventually led to his nomination and election as President of the United States, serving from 1909 to 1913. Helen Taft served as First Lady during this period. Her role was notably active in both social and political spheres; she attended meetings with her husband, provided advice on appointments, and reorganized the White House staff and decor. Influenced by her experience in the Philippines, she introduced social events and planted cherry trees in the White House grounds, which became a lasting feature and tourist attraction.

Her tenure as First Lady was short due to a stroke she suffered two months into her term, which limited her mobility and caused her to withdraw from public life. She was emotionally affected by her husband's defeat in the 1912 presidential election. Following her leave from the White House, Helen remained engaged in philanthropic activities, supporting the Red Cross during World War I and participating in the Colonial Dames of America. She was widowed in 1930 and was buried beside her husband at Arlington National Cemetery.