A Mother for America: How Betsy Ross Became the Most Famous Woman in American History

Author/Contributor(s):	Hardy III, Charles
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Date:	11/30/2026
Binding:	Hardcover
Condition:	NEW

A Mother for America tells the remarkable story of how Philadelphia Quaker Betsy Ross, unknown beyond her family until 1870, became one of the most famous women in US history, despite sustained scholarly skepticism about her role in making the first American flag. It shows how schools, hereditary organizations, newspapers, and advertisers turned Betsy Ross into a powerful symbol of American patriotism and womanhood. This book explains why millions of Americans came to believe the Betsy Ross flag story, revealing how national myths are created, sold, and sustained over time.