No. 55: Elizabeth Keckley
Episode Transcript
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How does a woman born into slavery rise to become a trusted friend of the First Lady of the United States? Elizabeth Keckley’s life is a testament to courage, intellect, and survival against impossible odds.
Hi, I’m Shae, a PhD candidate at Harvard, and you’re listening to "100 Historic Black Women You Should Know By Election Day," where we dive into the lives of extraordinary Black women who forever changed history.
Elizabeth Keckley was born into slavery on a Virginia plantation in 1818. From her earliest years, Elizabeth experienced the harshest realities of enslaved life. At just four years old, she was separated from her mother, thrust into servitude, and subjected to cruel physical punishments. Yet, amidst this brutality, Keckley discovered a skill that would be her salvation—sewing. Under her mother’s guidance, she developed such skill with needle and thread that she was known for creating garments as beautiful as they were sturdy.
Keckley’s talent was so exceptional that it eventually earned her the chance to buy her freedom. But that wasn’t easy. She and her son were enslaved to a man who refused to grant her liberty unless she could pay a steep sum: $1,200. She worked tirelessly as a seamstress and finally purchased her freedom and that of her son in 1855.
Keckley became one of the most in-demand dressmakers in Washington, D.C. Her skill with a needle opened the doors to some of the most powerful homes in the city, including the White House itself. Her work caught the eye of First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln, who was so taken with Keckley’s designs that she soon hired her exclusively as her personal dressmaker.
But Keckley’s relationship with Mary Todd Lincoln went far beyond fashion. The two women developed an intimate friendship. Lincoln, who was grappling with the loss of her son Willie and the strain of the Civil War, leaned on Keckley for emotional support. Keckley, though often in the shadows, became a silent witness to the most personal moments of the Lincoln family during the darkest years of the nation's history. For Mary, Elizabeth was not just a seamstress—she was a confidante.
And this brings us to something truly significant about Elizabeth Keckley. She was not only a master of her craft, but also a woman who used her position to document history from a perspective few had access to. In 1868, she published Behind the Scenes: Or, Thirty Years a Slave and Four Years in the White House, a memoir that offered a rare glimpse into the private life of one of America’s most famous First Families. Her book was bold, even risky—it unveiled not only the inner workings of the White House but also the personal tragedies of Mary Todd Lincoln. The book was met with controversy, and while it cost Keckley some of her standing in Washington, it remains an invaluable historical document.
But Elizabeth Keckley didn’t stop there. She used her platform and earnings to make a difference in the lives of others. During the Civil War, she founded the Contraband Relief Association, a charity that provided food, shelter, and medical care to newly freed slaves. In this way, she didn’t just achieve her own freedom—she worked tirelessly to help others achieve theirs.
From slavery to the White House, Elizabeth Keckley broke barriers and left behind a legacy that deserves to be remembered. If you found her story as captivating as I do, don’t forget to follow and rate this podcast 5 stars so that more people can hear these incredible stories. And make sure to follow me on social media and subscribe to my YouTube channel for even more deep dives into historic Black women you should know. Thanks for tuning in!
