Lucy Webb Hayes

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First Lady of the United States
Lucy Ware Webb Hayes

In office March 4, 1877 – March 4, 1881
Preceded by	Julia Grant
Succeeded by	Lucretia Garfield

Born	August 28, 1831 Chillicothe, Ohio U.S.
Died	June 25, 1889 (aged 57) Fremont, Ohio
Spouse	Rutherford B. Hayes
Occupation	First Lady of the United States

Rutherford and Lucy Hayes on their wedding day.

Lucy Ware Webb Hayes sometimes credited as Lemonade Lucy (August 28, 1831 – June 25, 1889) was the wife of President Rutherford B. Hayes of the United States of America and one of the most popular First Ladies of the nineteenth century. Deeply religious, she despised slavery and converted her husband – whose successful career in the Union Army later led him into politics – to the abolitionist cause.

Once in the White House, Lucy Hayes was considered the most popular hostess since Dolley Madison. She was a strong supporter of Temperance, and no alcohol was served in the White House during the Hayes administration, prompting the press to dub her "Lemonade Lucy." She also introduced the custom of having children roll Easter eggs on the White House lawn.

Upon her death, flags across the United States were lowered to half-mast in honor of the "most idolized woman in America." Lucy Hayes was educated at Ohio Wesleyan University, as the first American First Lady to graduate from college.

In Leonard Bernstein's musical comedy 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the First Lady sings the "Duet for One", in which she transforms from Mrs. Grant into Lucy Webb Hayes.

In the Lucky Luke comic book Sarah Bernhardt, the president Rutherford B. Hayes' wife is portrayed as infiltrating Madame Bernhardt's crew disguised as a man, "George", and sabotaging their tour through the United States. 'The president's wife' is not mentioned by name in the book, and thus might be regarded as fictional. Although, the character does resemble Webb Hayes in several ways.