First lady Dolley Madison visits Bay

Carol Starre-Kmiecik as Dolly Madison

Dolley Madison, wife of James Madison, fourth President of the United States, paid a visit to Bay Village Middle School on January 12th. The buoyant and gregarious first lady relayed her experiences in the White House during a program sponsored by the League of Women Voters.

Resplendent in 19th century apparel, local actress Carol Starre-Kmiecik regaled the audience with tales of lavish formal dinner parties and her ability to make everyone feel at home in the White House.

When the British invaded Washington in 1814 she was credited with courageously staying behind, saving vital state documents and the famous portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart.

Carol Starre-Kmiecik has been performing with her one-woman company "Famous American Women" since 1996. Her characters include Amelia Earhart, Clara Barton, Elizabeth Bayley Seton, Clare Boothe Luce, Dorothy Fuldheim and Molly Brown. Each performance showcases the triumphs and tragedies of some of the nation's most influential women.