Social Secretary Quotes: Belle Hagner

Belle Hagner (left) at a White House garden party with an unidentified guest.

Belle Hagner, social secretary in the Theodore Roosevelt administration, 1901 to 1909, and Wilson administration, 1913 to 1915

“I would like to say that ever since this position was created for me, I have always felt very strongly that the job of secretary to the President’s wife is one which should not be solicited. I am happy to say that both times in my case, I was asked to take the place, without ever raising a finger to get it.”

Credit: Print Collection, Miriam and Ira D. Wallach New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations.

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