THE WOMEN

NAN BRITTON

Nanna Popham Britton was born on November 19, 1896. She grew up in the small town of Marion, Ohio. For much of her life, she was employed as a secretary and receptionist. Nan studied literature in college, but did not complete her higher education. In 1914, she began a relationship with Warren G. Harding. He was a Senator and later ran for the Presidency. Through their relationship, Nan conceived her first child. Her daughter, Elizabeth, was born on October 22, 1919. In 1927, following Harding’s unexpected death, she published a memoir titled “The President’s Daughter”. In the book, Nan shares many intimate details of her affair with Harding. It was denounced by his wife, his family and his party. Nan died on March 21, 1991. In 2015, the New York Times confirmed through DNA testing that Elizabeth Britton is Warren G. Harding’s daughter.

STORMY DANIELS (STEPHANIE GREGORY)

Stormy Daniels was born on March 17, 1979. Her given name was Stephanie Gregory. She was raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. After graduating highschool, she began working as a stripper. During her time as a featured entertainer, she was offered employment in adult films. She filmed her first full-length feature under her professional name, Stormy Daniels, in July 2002. She would go to to become very successful in her field. She has earned multiple accolades within the porn industry. Stormy has also been featured in roles within movies such as The 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up, and Finding Bliss. She works as a paranormal investigator, spiritual guide, entertainment producer, stand-up comic and is also an accomplished equestrian/horse trainer. She ran for political office in 2010. In 2015, Daniels and her ex-husband welcomed a daughter into the world. In October 2016, she received payment for signing a non-disclosure agreement concerning an alleged sexual encounter with Donald Trump that happened ten year prior. Stormy married her long-time friend in 2022. In that same year, Trump’s taxes were revealed to include the payment he made to Ms. Daniels. On March 30, 2023 —Donald Trump was indicted for that crime.

HELEN G. DOUGLAS

Helen G. Douglas was born on November 25, 1900. She grew up in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY. She was accepted to Columbia University, but left her studies to work as a professional actor. In the 1920’s, she became a Broadway star and traveled around Europe as an opera singer. In 1931, she married fellow actor, Melvyn Douglas. Helen moved to Los Angeles in 1935 to star in her first film. By the late 1930’s, she became politically active. She joined the Democratic Party in 1933 and quickly became close friends with Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. She chaired a variety of committees for the DNC throughout the 1940’s. In 1944, she became the first female from California elected to Congress. At this time, Helen allegedly began an affair with Lyndon B. Johnson. It would continue through his Presidency. In 1950, she ran for the Senate against Richard Nixon. She was defeated due to the many personal attacks he made on her. In 1952, Helen returned to acting. She passed away on June 28, 1980.

JENNIFER FITZGERALD

Jennifer Fitzgerald was born in 1932. Her family moved from the United Kingdom to Virginia when she was very young. Her father was a member of the British military and later worked as a government consultant. She was married, but separated from her husband within a year. Jennifer began working in American government in the late 60’s. She worked as personal assistant to Dean Burch. She would meet his close friend and associate, George H.W. Bush, in 1972, during the Watergate Scandal. It is alleged they began a romantic relationship at this time. In November of 1974, Fitzgerald began her career as Bush’s secretary during his appointment as Chief of US Liaison Office to the People’s Republic of China. She would continue to act as his executive assistant when he became CIA Director, Vice President and President. After his Presidency, Jennifer was appointed as deputy chief of protocol in the State Department.

SALLY HEMINGS

PLEASE NOTE: This role is currently being reexamined and rewritten. Future updates will be provided as they are available. Her original monologue has been retired.

Sally Hemings was born in 1778 on a plantation in Virginia. She was the daughter of Betty Hemings. Sally was enslaved by her own father, John Wales and, after his death, by her sister, Martha (Wales) Jefferson. As a young girl, she acted as a nursemaid and companion for Martha and Thomas Jefferson’s daughter, Maria. She was also a skilled seamstress. In 1787, when Sally was 14 years old, she accompanied Maria and Thomas Jefferson to Paris, France. She remained there during the his time as the United States Minister to France. While abroad, Thomas Jefferson sexually assaulted Sally. Through this, she became pregnant. Sally Hemings returned to the United States in 1779 and gave birth to a daughter. Shortly after, she lost this child. She would go on to have four more children - Beverly, Harriet, Madison, and Eston. Jefferson fathered each. She was never given legal emancipation, but her children were. In 1826, Sally left the plantation to live with her sons in Charlottesville, Virginia. She died in 1835. Her children’s paternal lineage was proven through DNA analysis in 1998. A decade later, The Foundation of Monticello officially recognized these findings. In June 2018, Sally’s quarters were fully restored and her story is now shared with visitors to the historical site.

MONICA LEWINSKY

Monica Lewinsky was born on July 23, 1973. She grew up in Brentwood and Beverly Hills, California. Monica’s parents divorced when she was 15 years old. After graduating high school, she attended Santa Monica Community College and Lewis & Clark College. In 1995, Monica earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the latter. That summer she began an internship for White House Chief of Staff, Leon Panetta. In November of that year, she began having an affair with President Bill Clinton. She accepted a job in Legislative Affairs in December 1995. In January of 1998, the details of her relationship with Bill Clinton became public. His denial of their sexual encounters under oath was used as the basis for filing Articles of Impeachment against him. After the scandal, Monica left the United States to pursue her Masters in Social Psychology from the London School of Economics. She has gone on to become a small business owner and Anti-Bullying activist. Monica has written about her experiences for many different publications including Vanity Fair. In 2021, she began working as a tv/film producer- most notably for FX’s True Crime Story: Impeachment.

LUCY MERCER

Lucy Mercer was born in Washington, D.C. on April 26th, 1891. She was from a prosperous and powerful Catholic family, but her own parents lost their wealth during The Financial Panic of 1893. They separated soon after their daughter was born. As such, Lucy had access to some privileges, such as private schooling, while still needing to maintain her own employment. She was working at dress shop in 1914, when Eleanor Roosevelt offered her a job as her social secretary. While she was acting in this capacity, Lucy began an affair with Franklin Roosevelt. Eleanor found out about their relationship in 1918 and forbid her husband to continue seeing Mercer. However, the pair would not abide by his wife’s ultimatum. They continued to see one another throughout their lives. After leaving D.C., Mercer went on to work as a governess for the children of a wealthy widower. In 1920, the two wed in New York City. Lucy raised her five step-children and had one daughter of her own. She died on July 31, 1948.

MARILYN MONROE (NORMA JEAN MORTENSON)

Marilyn Monroe was born as Norma Jean Mortenson on June 1, 1926. She was raised in Los Angeles County. Monroe never knew her father. When she was still a child, her mother, Gladys Baker, was diagnosed with schizophrenia. As such, Norma was often placed in foster care. She was moved multiple times after being sexually abused by caregivers. At the age of 16, she married James Dougherty. Norma started modeling in 1944. She was first photographed at the factory where she worked. She left her job and divorced her husband in 1946. At this time, she started using the stage name Marilyn Monroe. She was offered a contract by 20th Century-Fox in late 1946. Marilyn continued to build her career in film over the next decade, until her major break in Gentleman Prefer Blondes. Released in 1953, this film secured her spot as an iconic American sex symbol. In 1954, Monroe formed her own production company. She also married baseball star Joe DiMaggio. They divorced nine months later. Marilyn was remarried in 1956 to playwright, Arthur Miller. On February 23, 1956, she legally changed her name to Marilyn Monroe. She earned a Golden Globe for Some Like It Hot in 1959. In January 1961, she divorced Miller. Shortly after, it is alleged Marilyn began having an affair with President John F. Kennedy. She passed away on August 4, 1962.

MARY PECK

Mary Allen Hulbert Peck was born May 26, 1862 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was raised in an affluent family who latter suffered financial difficulties. Her first marriage was to Thomas Harbach Hulbert, a mining engineer and prospector. They were wed in October of 1883. In September 1888, the couple had a son together named Allen. A year later, Thomas died unexpectedly, leaving Mary a widow. After his death, she garnered a position on the Ladies’ Commission of the World’s Fair. In December 1890, at the insistence of her family, she was married again. Her second husband was wealthy business man, Thomas Dowse Peck. She relocated to Pittsfield, Massachusetts to live with him. After developing an illness in 1892, Mary’s doctor advised that she should begin spending her winters in Bermuda. In 1907, it is here that she allegedly began an affair with Woodrow Wilson. Mary and Woodrow continued to exchanged letters for many years after this encounter. With Wilson’s support and encouragement, she separated from Peck in 1907. She officially filed for divorce in 1911. She then moved to New York City with her mother and son. Her romantic relationship with Wilson ended in 1915. Mary Peck died in 1939.

CARRIE FULTON PHILLIPS

Carrie Fulton Phillips was born on September 22, 1873. She was raised in Dayton, Ohio. She was known for her beauty in her youth. In 1896, Carrie married James Phillips, the owner of a dry good supply store. The couple relocated to Marion, Ohio. They would have two children together. A daughter, Isabella, born in 1897 and a son, James, born in 1902. Their son passed away when he was only two years old. In 1905, she began an affair with Warren G. Harding, who was the owner of the local newspaper at that time. Their romance was documented in the letters they regularly sent to one another. Harding and his wife were close friends with The Phillips. The group traveled abroad to Europe in 1909. It is believed that Mrs. Harding became aware of the situation in 1911 and this was the reason The Phillips relocated to Germany that year. In 1914, as the war in Europe was starting, Carrie and her family returned to the United States. When Harding decided to run for President in 1920, Carrie successfully blackmailed The Republican Party in return for her silence about their relationship. In 1939, her husband died. Carrie passed away on February 3, 1960. After her death, a court battle ensued over the love letters she had received from Harding. His family fought to keep them sealed, but ultimately they were unsuccessful. The letters are available to the public through the Library of Congress.

KAY SUMMERSBY

Kathleen Summersby was born November 23, 1908. She was raised in County Cork, Ireland. Her father was Lieutenant Colonel in the British Army. After finishing school, she relocated to London, England. In 1936, she married an officer in the British Army named Thomas Summersby. They divorced shortly after. She was engaged to US Army officer Lieutenant Colonel Richard Arnold, but he was killed in service during a campaign in North Africa. Kay joined the British Mechanised Transport Corps in 1939. She skillfully navigated an ambulance during the London Blitz. After the United States joined the British Allied Forces, Summersby was assigned to chauffeur General Dwight D. Eisenhower. She would also become his personal secretary shortly following her initial assignment. Kay has alleged that they maintained a romantic relationship during her time working for him. With the help of Eisenhower, she became an American citizen and member of the Women’s Auxiliary Corp of the United States Army in October 1944. Kay rose to the rank of Captain. She was awarded multiple medals including the Army of Occupation Medal, Bronze Star Medal, European Campaign Medal, Women’s Army Corps Service Medal, and World War II Victory Medal. Her relationship with Eisenhower ended at the conclusion of WWII. She stayed in Europe briefly, then moved to New York. In 1952, Kay married Reginald H. Morgan, a stockbroker. They divorced in 1958. In the United States, she built a career in television and stage, working as a fashion coordinator and set and costume designer. She died on January 20, 1975.