Elizabeth Keckley was born into slavery. Using her skills as a dressmaker, she was able to buy her freedom in 1855. Keckley’s superior craftsmanship and design skills won her a number of wealthy clients who loaned her money to secure her and her son’s freedom. As a free woman, she moved to Washington, D.C. where she received a reputation for designing the most elegant dresses. This led to her meeting the First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln (the country’s 19th first lady) and soon after she begi[...]