#BlackHistory #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackGenealogy #USPol #flotus #potus

Michelle Obama was the second black woman to be First Lady of the United States. The first black woman to be First Lady was Sally Hemings who was First Lady during the presidency of Thomas Jefferson. Hemings lived with Jefferson as his concubine during his presidency. They had three children while he was in office: Harriet Hemings (dob. May 1801), James Madison Hemings (dob. January 19, 1805), Thomas Eston Hemings (dob. May 21, 1808).

Because marriages between black and white people were not openly accepted at the time, they never officially married and Jefferson instead asked Dolley Madison to serve as hostess during official events. Legally, Hemings was considered one of Jefferson’s slaves. The exact personal dynamics of their relationship is unknown.

(Note: The term “First Lady” has no official meaning in law and it was not actually used in writing until the mid-19th Century.)