Edith Wilson – The First Woman President

If not for narrow losses in three key states leading to an Electoral College defeat, Hillary Clinton would have become the first woman President of the United States. Vice President Kamala Harris, seeking the presidency in 2024, rarely emphasizes the historic nature of her candidacy. Yet some historians argue that America already had its first female acting president—unofficially. Edith Bolling Wilson, the second wife of Woodrow Wilson, is often called the “first woman president.” Many know the outline of this story but don’t realize the extent of Wilson’s incapacitation during the final seventeen months of his presidency, with Edith effectively acting as a quasi-president. Here is the story of Edith Wilson – The First Woman President.

In October 1919, President Wilson suffered a severe stroke, leaving him partially paralyzed and with significant mental impairments. Historians believe he also suffered from dementia, exacerbated by arteriosclerosis and deep depression. He lost vision in one eye and experienced sudden emotional outbursts, a stark contrast to his previously stoic demeanor. Wilson’s illness rendered him unable to perform the duties of the presidency, forcing Edith Wilson to step in and manage the executive responsibilities.

Edith Wilson – The First Woman President

Edith took control, keeping the severity of Wilson’s condition a secret from Congress, the vice president, and the press. She restricted access to him, maintaining a facade of normalcy while shielding the truth that he was paralyzed and mentally impaired. Fearing government destabilization, she carefully curated the information flow, allowing her to quietly assume a more active role in decision-making.

Government officials grew frustrated by the White House’s inability to make routine decisions, such as filling vacancies and addressing legislation. With President Wilson incapacitated and seemingly unresponsive, essential government functions stalled. Realizing that Edith was the only person with direct access to the president, cabinet members, and Congress began addressing their correspondence directly to her, acknowledging her as the de facto authority managing the president’s affairs.

Signing The President’s Name

A key incident during this period was the veto of the Volstead Act, the legislation that defined the enforcement of Prohibition. Wilson was in no condition to make a reasoned decision despite its significance. Edith claimed he had signed the veto himself, but given his inability to think clearly or sign documents, it is believed she either guided his hand or forged his signature. This instance, among others, suggests that Edith took extraordinary measures to exercise presidential power in her husband’s name.

Edith took on the immense responsibility of managing presidential duties independently,

excluding even Wilson’s closest aides, Joseph Tumulty and Colonel Edward M. House. Before Wilson’s stroke, Tumulty and House were crucial to daily operations and foreign policy. However, Edith grew distrustful of them after the stroke, effectively banishing them from Wilson’s inner circle and refusing to consult them on important matters. Her decision left them powerless. Edith relied on her judgment to interpret what Wilson might have wanted.

Wilson Never Recovered

Wilson never fully recovered from his stroke. His vision remained impaired, and he was unable to walk unaided. Historians believe dementia and his inability to reason clouded his thinking for the rest of his life. He lived for four more years after leaving office in 1921, outliving his successor, Warren G. Harding. During these years, he remained out of the public eye under Edith’s care, who continued to protect his legacy.

In her autobiography, Edith described her role as “stewardship” over the presidency during this period. She portrayed herself as a guardian of his administration, making decisions in his stead while preserving the illusion that Wilson was still in command. Without a mechanism like the 25th Amendment to remove an incapacitated president, Congress and the cabinet were powerless to act, allowing Edith to fill the power vacuum. Due to her unprecedented influence during this time, she is sometimes called the “first woman president.”