" The Secret President" and "The First Woman President"? 
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During her husband Woodrow Wilson’s presidency, Edith Bolling Wilson played a highly influential—though unofficial—role, particularly in the final years of his administration. After President Wilson suffered a debilitating stroke in October 1919, Edith became a central figure in managing access to him and screening communications. She worked closely with his doctors and advisors, determining which matters were urgent enough to bring to the President’s attention.

At the time, there was no constitutional process—such as today's 25th Amendment—for transferring presidential power in the event of a president's incapacity. The 25th Amendment, which outlines the procedure for vice-presidential succession due to disability or illness, was not ratified until 1967. In 1919, no legislation existed that would compel Vice President Thomas R. Marshall to assume the presidency. When approached about stepping into the role, Vice President Marshall refused, fearing a constitutional crisis or accusations of overreach.

As a result, Edith Bolling Wilson took it upon herself to act as a gatekeeper which she referred to as her “stewardship,” ensuring the continuity of the presidency during a time of national uncertainty. While she never held official authority or made executive decisions on her own, her extraordinary involvement has led some historians and commentators to refer to her as
“The Secret President” or “The First Woman President.”

These titles are not meant to imply that she was president in any legal or constitutional sense. Rather, they reflect the unprecedented situation she navigated—and the remarkable responsibility she carried—as First Lady during one of the most challenging periods in American presidential history. Today, her story prompts important discussions about transparency, leadership, and the evolving role of women in American political life.