John and Abigail Adams: The Modern Partnership at the Heart of the American Revolution

America’s second First Lady, Abigail Adams, was a powerful figure in the Founding era. An outspoken advocate for women’s education, her story echoes the spirit of the Revolution as a period that saw both the fight for a more equitable Republic and the endurance of deeply rooted inequalities. She served as a political confidante and intellectual partner to her husband, John Adams, and together they witnessed much of the radical transformation of the colonies from the unique position of Adams’ diplomatic missions in Europe. Reporter Jennifer Schuessler sits down with historian Lindsay Chervinsky and Colleen Shogan, former Archivist of the United States, to examine the founding couple’s distinct partnership, the complex views on the rights and role of women, and the dramatic arc of history that unfolded during their lifetimes.