There is a saying “Behind every great man is a great woman.” I’m sure every farm wife in America would agree with that statement. Though the saying was made in the 19th century, it rings true in today’s society as well as long before the 19th century.

As we think of President George Washington’s birthday on Feb. 22, thoughts of his great lady go toward the first First Lady Martha (Dandridge) Curtis-Washington. She was married to her first husband, Mr. Curtis, when she was 18 years old. She was ahead of her time, as unlike most girls of that time, she was taught how to read and...