Here is a painting of one of my favorite American heroes, Dolley Madison. Dolley was a confident and strong woman who was at ease in any situation. During the war of 1812, when she was first lady, the British attacked Washington DC. She was urged to evacuate. She refused to leave the White House at first. When the danger came closer she agreed to leave but not until she had rolled up the most important artwork to take with her. Thanks to her efforts, those paintings survived the burning of the White House and are still on display to this day. When she returned to see the White House in ruins, she pitched right in to help set things straight. She was at ease in any social situation and able to laugh and joke with foreign diplomats and royalty and hostile statesmen. It is said that her gracious tact smoothed many quarrels. She welcomed everyone. Dolley's hobby was listening to the Supreme Court in her spare time. She had a favorite chair in the Supreme Court hearing room. Dolley's story is a fascinating piece of history.
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