When Harry S. Truman (1884-1972; see entry in volume 4) opened a men's store in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1919, his wife Bess helped behind the scenes. She was responsible for advertising and for inventory for the store. Bess was content with a similar behind-the-scenes role during her husband's political career in Washington, D.C., where Truman was a senator beginning in 1935. Bess handled mail, performed some research on issues, and advised Truman on his speeches.

Shunning publicity and living quietly, Bess Truman was not comfortable in her role as first lady, which she assumed in 1945. She announced early on, for example, that she would not speak out on issues, nor would she hold regular press conferences: "I am not the one who was elected," she remarked. "I have nothing to say to the people." She came to Washington, D.C., as a small-town woman. She maintained her...