Since its start as a settlement in 1607, Virginia has produced its share of women who have made historical contributions to our nation, both individually and as First Lady.

Because eight U.S. chief executives were born in Virginia – George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor and Woodrow Wilson – the Commonwealth is known as “The Mother of Presidents.”

For this year’s Women’s History Month, we offer a look at an individual one could consider “The Mother of First Ladies.”

Our nation’s first First Lady lived most of her life a few miles from Alexandria City, at Mount Vernon. Born to Virginia gentry in 1731 in New Kent County, Martha Dandridge, unlike most girls and women in 18th century America, learned to read and write at an early age. Martha was married to Daniel Parke Custis in 1750 when she was 18, and widowed in 1757.

In 1759, 5-foot-tall Martha Dandridge Custis married George Washington. She was, at age 27, one of the wealthiest women in Virginia. At the time of the wedding to George, Martha’s “property” included approximately 300 inherited enslaved individuals and more than 17,500 acres of land. The Washingtons then moved to George’s Mount Vernon.

Martha left her native Virginia for the first time during the American Revolution. Beloved by the troops, Martha would bring supplies for the struggling Continental Army. Utilizing her writing and organizational skills, she served as the General’s secretary, intermediary, hostess and confidant.

Martha and other enlightened women developed “The Offering of the Ladies” campaign to enlist additional women throughout the American colonies to raise money to aid soldiers. According to the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon, Martha Washington individually bestowed $20,000, which would be around $825,000 now.

In 1789, several weeks following her husband’s presidential inauguration, Martha began her journey from Virginia to set up their home in a rented presidential residence while managing the domestic aspects of Mount Vernon. Without the benefit of a predecessor, she began to define the role of the presidential spouse or hostess.

Martha was a savvy patriot as well: the May 22, 1789 edition of the “Gazette of the United States” reported Lady Washington preferred American-made dresses. In order to cement congressional and international relationships and to allow citizen access, she hosted Friday evening salons in the interim U.S. capitals of New York and Philadelphia. Most guests addressed Martha as “Lady Washington,” or “Lady Presidentess” because the title “First Lady” had not yet been coined. Like other patrician women of her time, she was expected to conform to extensive social engagements.

“Martha set the foundation for a role without a rule book. She headed up gracious entertainment for George and appeared dignified without being too regal,” Nancy Kegan Smith, an Alexandria resident and co-author of “Remember the First Ladies,” said.

Though she burned private correspondence, Martha was ahead of her time regarding historical preservation by conserving many of George Washington’s papers and ensuring Mount Vernon would survive.

Nearly three years after her husband’s death, Martha Dandridge Custis Washington died at Mount Vernon on May 22, 1802, surrounded by grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Martha outlived her four children.

“Veneration and respect” are the words then-Second Lady Abigail Adams used to describe Martha’s demeanor. Martha has also been honored with song as well as image: She is the only woman to have been portrayed on U.S. paper currency on the $1 silver certificate.

When President Washington refused to serve a third term, he hoped his wishes for a peaceful transfer of power would influence all future presidents. When Martha Washington created the role of First Lady, she too hoped her FLOTUS successors would follow her lead.

The writer is a founder of Alexandria Celebrates Women, a nonprofit commemorating the centennial of women’s suffrage and highlighting influential women throughout the city’s history.