Helen Louise Taft (née Herron; June 2, 1861 – May 22, 1943) was First Lady of the United States from 1909 to 1913 as the wife of President William Howard Taft. Born to a politically well-connected Ohio family, she took an early interest in political life, deciding at the age of 17 that she wished to become first lady.

Nellie Taft made a permanent mark in history by becoming the first First Lady to ride in the Inaugural Parade with her husband, following the swearing-in ceremony. Many newspapers at the time considered it a symbol of what they assumed to be her support of full suffrage for women.

Helen Louise "Nellie" Herron was born on June 2, 1861, in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was the fourth of eleven children born to Harriet Collins Herron and John Williamson Herron. Harriet’s family was politically active in New York with her father and brother serving in Congress, while John at one point operated a law firm with Rutherford B. Hayes.

Helen Taft (born June 2, 1861, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.—died May 22, 1943, Washington, D.C.) was an American first lady (1909–13), the wife of William Howard Taft, 27th U.S. president and 10th chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1861, and a graduate of Cincinnati College of Music, she married William Howard Taft in 1886. Nellie Taft distinguished herself as founder and president of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Association.

Helen “Nellie” Taft was the wife of President William Howard Taft and First Lady of the United States from 1909 to 1913. During their marriage, she relished travel to Japan, China, and diplomatic missions around the world.

Helen "Nellie" Taft was the wife of President William Howard Taft and First Lady of the United States from 1909 to 1913. During their marriage, she relished travel to Japan, China, and diplomatic missions around the world.

Mar 4, 2025 · Helen "Nellie" Taft was the wife of William Howard Taft, the 27th President of the United States. She served as First Lady from 1909 to 1913.

Helen Taft employed African American men as ushers for the first time in the White House. Although, exemplifying disapproval with women’s limited sphere, she refused to take a public stance on women’s suffrage.

May 28, 2018 · Helen Herron "Nellie" Taft (June 2, 1861 – May 22, 1943), wife of William Howard Taft, was First Lady of the United States from 1909 to 1913. See White House portrait.