Headquarters Celebrates Women’s History Month

By Jennifer L. Warren

NEWBURGH – “Since there was no one to show her the way, she now became the person who would be showing the way,” Karen Monti, Historic Interpreter at Washington’s Headquarters in the City of Newburgh explained. “To this day, Martha Washington remains the example by which president’s wives are measured, an example set in 1789.”

So now, over 230 years later that lofty barometer of excellence remains and continues to be celebrated, revered each March by the Headquarters during Women’s History Month. This year, due to the limitations of the ongoing Pandemic, the event shifted on Sunday, March 21 at 2pm, to the virtual arena. The 45 minute program consisted of an introduction by Elyse Goldberg, Site Manager, 35 minute talk about First Lady Washington’s personal and professional background as well as presentation of the Woman of History Award; this year granted to Sue Gardner, a historical archivist and librarian.

“George Washington lived here at Washington Headquarters in the Hasbrouk House for 16 and a half months; Martha was there as well for 12 months, so it’s natural to focus on her during Women’s History Month,” pointed out Goldberg. “This program is an opportunity to honor her as well as someone in the Hudson Valley Community who has excelled at the study and promotion of history and spread that around to others; this is why this event is so close to our hearts.”

The specialness of the inaugural First Lady was elaborated upon by Monti inside of the Quarter’s facility. Standing in front of a large portrait of General George Washington, Monti spoke about the many, diverse roles deftly played by Lady Washington. Whether it was as a military wife, businesswoman, mother, or advisor to her husband, Martha, a genteel southern lady, conducted all of her affairs with intelligence and grace. A widower who also had to mourn the death of her daughter at the tender age of 17, Lady Washington garnered admirable fortitude, something apparent in her challenging yearly winter visits to Washington’s various Headquarter sites. Enduring cold, snow and other dangerous and tough variables, Martha never complained, simply completing the journey, assisting her husband in any way needed.

“She was a role model to other military wives,” pointed out Monti.

Overseeing many households at her husband’s temporary headquarters, Lady Washington knit socks and made shirts for soldiers. She humbly completed these critical tasks, never seeking attention or any laurels, simply wanting to best help her husband carry out his presidential duties. Monti further demonstrated the timeless impact of that role model status, detailing how later First Ladies, such as Michelle Obama, Melania Trump, and Hillary Clinton often quoted some of Martha’s words as well as implemented various poised gestures and subtle altruistic actions from her in their own modern day roles.

In the spirit of Martha Washington’s profound influence as well as the necessity and beauty of preserving local history, each year during this event saluting Women’s History Month, Washington’s Headquarters recognizes a female doing amazing work in Hudson Valley history and preservation. This year’s recipient was Gardner, who as an archivist and librarian at the Albert Wisner Library has specialized as a Historical Digital Resource Manager. Creating the Warwick Heritage Data Base, Gardner also authored web pages and got local newspapers scanned, among an assortment of other duties that created powerful change.

It’s that passion for and commitment to her work that makes Gardner stand apart on multiple levels.

“I think for most people who end up dedicating themselves to a cause like the study, preservation and exploration of the truth of our history, it is a question that something needs to be done; noticing several times that ‘someone needs to do something about this,’” said Gardner who was honored to be included among the lengthy list of dedicated women receiving the honor dating back to 2003. “And then it’s finally realizing that since you are the one noticing, that ‘someone’ must be you; that’s what happened with me (with studying-preserving history), I simply followed when the Pied Piper called, and I suspect that I will never come back.”

Gardner added, “For me, one of the most meaningful things is to know something of the lives of ordinary people who inhabited the landscape I travel today.”