Experts will share insight on American first ladies at annual symposium

Award-winning educator, speaker and author Rebecca Boggs Roberts will visit The Ohio State University at Marion, July 20, to discuss her latest book "Untold Power, The Fascinating Rise and Complex Legacy of First Lady Edith Wilson."

The presentation is part of three workshop sessions during the two-day Warren G. Harding Symposium, July 19-20.

The theme of the symposium is Taft, Wilson and Harding: First Ladies of Consequence, featuring scholars and historians focusing on a group of American first ladies, each of whom faced challenges and were able to leave an indelible mark on an era in the United States presidency.

Roberts is a historian of American women’s suffrage and civic participation. In addition to "Untold Power," her books include the award-winning "The Suffragist Playbook: Your Guide to Changing the World;" "Suffragists in Washington, D.C.: The 1913 Parade and the Fight for the Vote;" and "Historic Congressional Cemetery."

She is deputy director of events at the Library of Congress, and previously worked as a journalist, producer, tour guide, forensic anthropologist, event planner, political consultant, jazz singer and radio talk show host. Roberts serves on the board of the National Archives Foundation, Council of Advisors of the Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation and the Editorial Advisory Committee of the White House Historical Association.

She lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband, their three sons, and a long-eared hound dog.

In addition to Roberts’ workshop session, the workshops will feature Dr. Rafaele Fierro, author of "Helen Herron Taft: Forgotten Impact of a Memorable First Lady," and Jonathan Andersen, Florence Harding researcher and historian.

The Warren G. Harding Symposium opening reception is 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, July 19, at the Harding Presidential Library and Museum. Saturday events kick off with the annual presidential wreath-laying ceremony at the Harding Memorial, followed by workshop sessions at Ohio State Marion and the gala dinner.

The Warren G. Harding Symposium is a joint venture of The Ohio State University at Marion, the Ohio History Connection and the Harding Presidential Sites.

Information including schedule of events, pricing and on the 2024 Warren G. Harding Symposium can be found at go.osu.edu/harding. For more information about registration, email Jodi Somerlot at somerlot.30@osu.edu or call 740-725-6340.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Speakers announced for Warren G. Harding Symposium in Marion