Though no such award exists there should be one named after Abigail Adams for “Political Family Fortitude;” particularly to honor those women who supported and endured having both a husband and a son who were political chief executives. Abigail was the first example in the history of the fledgling nation. Her husband John was President (1797-1801), so too would be their son, John Quincy (1825-1829).
This topic comes to mind with the death last week of Sybil Haydel Morial, whose husband was Mayor Dutch Morial (1978-1986). Son Marc Morial would also achieve that office, serving two terms beginning in 1994.
A contemporary was Verna Landrieu, whose husband Moon was the city’s Chief Executive for two terms beginning in 1970 as would be her son Mitch (2010). Verna added to the distinctions when daughter Mary served as a United States Senator.
Abigail stood alone as a presidential wife and mother until Barbra Bush would also claim the distinction with the election of husband George H.W. in 1989. Son George W. (2001) would follow for two terms.
We know of these women that while they experienced pride and glory; politics can be brutal. Every hurt felt by the men in their lives hurt them, too.
Abigail was often separated from John, taking care of the farm in Quincy, Massachusetts while her husband was busy building a nation and declaring Independence. There is information about their shared lives from letters frequently written to each other. Abigail not only had the burden of the family, but also of maintaining the farm. The musical “1776” used excerpts from the letters as a device to show a relationship that seemed to be loving but demanding. In one set of communications husband John had prevailed on his wife to gather the local ladies to make gunpowder (saltpeter) to be used in the war against the British. In return, Abigail demanded John’s influence to deliver pins that the women could use for sewing. Such was the life of a future first lady and presidential mom.
Sybil Haydel, as a talented young woman, wanted more opportunities and even moved North in search of them. There she developed a relationship with New Orleanian Ernest “Dutch” Morial. Reference to him in biographies would have frequent reliance on the prelude; “The first Black to…” which could be filled in with “being elected to the state senate,” “being elected to a judgeship,” “becoming mayor of New Orleans.”
She must have felt the pain when during her husband’s first week as Mayor the city suffered from torrential rain that caused the worst case of urban flooding ever. A drainage system overhaul was needed. Ahead would be the threat of a strike by the New Orleans police union during the upcoming Carnival season. One could imagine the household tensions over an issue on which the economy teetered and that could have deep racial implication.
By the time Moon Landrieu had been elected Black voters were in the majority. Though he was white, he was the first mayor to be elected by having more Black votes than from Whites. As mayor, a major objective was to integrate city government, especially placing minorities in ruling positions. Moon and Verna became symbols of a new more socially liberal New Orleans.
Back on the presidential side, New Orleans provided a very special moment for the Bush family in 1988 when George the elder became the Republican’s nominee at the only party convention ever held in New Orleans. Ahead would be a one term prudency that started heroically with his successful coalition building in combatting Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait; but ended badly as Americans struggled through a bad economy. Louisianian James Carville coined a phrase used by the successful Bill Clinton campaign, “It is the economy stupid.”
Son George HW Bush would regain dad’s White House in 2001. His term would be overshadowed by the shock of the 9/11 terrorism incident. The nation stood by the President but not so much after another tragedy, Hurricane Katrina. Bush the younger’s administration was seen as being slow and ineffective in rescuing New Orleans. The city, of all places, was where the family’s climb to the White House had begun.
Through good times and bad, we know of the wives of chief executives that they were generally forces of wisdom, and comfort. The life of Sybil Morial reminds us that the nation is a better place because of the stability they provided.
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Have something to add to this story, or want to send a comment to Errol? Email him at errol@myneworleans.com. Note: All responses are subject to being published, as edited, in this article. Please include your name and location.
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