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Elizabeth Willing Powel | Philadelphia Women’s History Month All-Star

All-Star #9: Elizabeth Willing Powel

Elizabeth Willing Powel | Philadelphia Women’s History Month All-Star

All-Star #9: Elizabeth Willing Powel

By The Citizen
TODAY'S ALL-STAR FULL 2021 ALL-STAR LIST

09

Elizabeth Willing Powel

Socialite / American founder

Elizabeth Willing Powel

Socialite / American founder

1743-1830

Ever wondered why America’s Head of State is called a president? Philadelphia socialite Elizabeth Powel is to thank.

As the wife of the wealthy and prominent Philadelphian Samuel Powel, Elizabeth hosted parties modeled after French salons that were attended by many of America’s founding fathers, including Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette and John Adams.

Powel played a critical role in shaping the tone and content of the political conversations that took place inside her Society Hill home (which you can tour in non-pandemic times). Through these dinners, Mrs. Powel and George Washington became close friends and Washington agreed to run for a second term as president at her urging.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  • Hosted parties for Philadelphia society
  • Advised George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and other founding fathers
  • Managed her husband’s estate upon his death from Yellow Fever


FINAL WORDS: “When in society she will animate and give a brilliancy to the whole Conversation, and the uncommon command she has of Language and her ideas flow with rapidity,” Powel’s sister, Ann Willing Francis, wrote of Elizabeth.


RELATED READING

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Crystal Bird Faucet Biography
Fauset was the first African-American woman elected to a state legislature in the country. In that role, she introduced legislation that addressed public health, low-income housing and women’s workplace rights.
From Black History Month All-Stars
Marian Anderson Biography
Despite the resistance Marian Anderson faced in venues across the country, she became one of the city’s most successful performers.
From Women's History Month All-Stars
Hannah Callowhill Penn Biography
Helen Callowhill Penn was the wife of William Penn, but her legacy extends beyond that. She was effectively the first female governor of PA.

Willing Powel painting by Matthew Pratt / Wikimedia Commons

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