Transcript Slide 1

Elizabeth “Bess” Virginia
(1885-1982)
The Life of a
First Lady
Her Childhood
• Elizabeth Virginia
Wallace was born on
February 13, 1885.
• Her family nicknamed her
“Bessie,” which became
just “Bess” as she
matured.
• Bess lived in
Independence, Missouri
with her parents and
three younger brothers.
The Neighborhood Tomboy
• Some people considered
Bess a “tomboy” because
she could hit a baseball
as far as any boy in the
area and was thought to
be the best third baseman
in Independence.
• She enjoyed tennis, ice
skating, and basketball.
She could also whistle
through her front teeth.
A Vibrant Young Woman
• Bess graduated from
Independence High
School in 1901 in the
same class as her future
husband, Harry Truman.
• Though she did not
attend college, she went
to Barstow Finishing
School, a preparatory
school for ladies, for one
year.
Meeting Her Sweetheart
Bess and Harry on a fishing
trip in August of 1913.
• Harry Truman first
spotted Bess Wallace
in Sunday school
class when he was
six years old.
• After graduating from
high school, Bess did
not see Harry for nine
years. It was only
after they had
renewed their
friendship that their
eight year courtship
began.
Harry’s Proposal
• Harry traveled sixteen
miles to see Bess.
• He often wrote Bess
letters and ate Sunday
dinner with her family.
• Harry proposed to
Bess three times
before she agreed to
marry him.
• They married in June
of 1919 after Harry
returned from service
in World War I.
Building a Home Life
• The couple moved
into Bess’s family
home at 219 North
Delaware, where
they would live all
their married life.
• Their only child,
Margaret, was born
February 17, 1924.
Bess and Mary Margaret Truman
Life in the Spotlight
• When Harry won
election to the U.S.
Senate in 1934, the
family divided their
time between
Independence and
Washington, D.C.
• Bess became involved
in organizations such
as the Red Cross and
the Senate Special
Truman family at the launching
Wives Club. She also of the U.S.S. Missouri.
January 29, 1944
worked as a clerk in
Harry’s Senate office.
Portrait of a First Lady
• Bess was a senator’s
wife until 1944 when
Harry was elected
Franklin D. Roosevelt’s
vice president.
• Bess became America’s
First Lady on April 12,
1945 when Roosevelt
died unexpectedly.
The Roles She Filled
• As First Lady,
Bess was the
official White
House hostess.
She made public
appearances,
answered mail,
and helped to
plan state dinners
and receptions.
• Bess graciously
fulfilled her
duties, but she
preferred private
life.
President Truman and Bess
Truman at a baseball game.
November 26, 1948
On the Campaign Trail
• Although Bess was not
in favor of Harry seeking
reelection in 1948, when
Thomas Dewey was
nominated by the
Republican party, she
support Truman’s
decision to run.
• She and Margaret often
accompanied the
President on his Whistle
Stop campaign train, the
Ferdinand Magellan.
Retirement
• When Harry’s term
ended in 1953,
Bess was very
happy to return to
Independence.
• She and Harry
spent their days
together enjoying
their common
interests – reading,
listening to music,
traveling, and
spending time with
Margaret and her
family.
Truman family, post-Presidency
November 18, 1953
Their Last Days
Bess, Harry, and Margaret at
groundbreaking for Library
May 8, 1955
• President Truman
died December 26,
1972. Bess
continued to live at
the Delaware house
until she died
October 18, 1982 at
age ninety-seven.
• Husband and wife
are buried in the
Courtyard of the
Truman Presidential
Museum and Library.
Bess Truman Trivia
Bess Truman loved to play
bridge. Here she’s pictured with
her Independence bridge club in
1946.
• Bess loved baseball,
bridge, and the colors
blue and green.
• She sometimes helped
with the laundry and
cleaning of the White
House herself.
• She was famous for her
Ozark Pudding, a dish
many wanted her recipe
for.
Follow-up Questions
• What do you think is a First Lady’s most
important job? Do you believe that she has
too many responsibilities or too few as the
wife of the President?
• Bess preferred private life. Do you believe
she was justified in often maintaining a
distance from the public eye and the
press?
• What is the most surprising thing you’ve
learned about Bess Truman?