Elizabeth Willing Powel

A woman in Philadelphia tells George Washington, plainly, that the country needs him to serve again and she does not write for personal gain. That single moment opens a much bigger story about how influence works when you cannot vote, cannot hold office, and still refuse to stay silent. We sit down with Samantha Snyder from the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon to talk about Elizabeth Willing Powel, the subject of Samantha’s forthcoming full-scale biography (University of Virginia Press, March 2027). Powel is not a formal political leader, but she is deeply connected to the people who are. Through letters, conversation, and a keen “talent for suggesting,” she helps shape the founding era from a different stage: salons, homes, and relationships that quietly steer big decisions. We also dig into the sources that make Powel come alive. Beyond correspondence with George and Martha Washington, Samantha finds meaning in ledgers, receipts, and account books that show Powel managing wealth, property, investments, and civic improvement projects after becoming a widow. Those details expand our understanding of early American civic life, women’s political influence, and the networks surrounding the founders. If you’ve ever felt like you need a title, a platform, or “top billing” to matter, Powel’s life argues the opposite. Subscribe, share this with a friend who loves history, and leave a review with one overlooked historical figure you think we should talk about next. Check Out the Civic Literacy Curriculum!School of Civic and Economic Thought and LeadershipCenter for American Civics