Existing comment:
A Changing Workforce:
As the nation became more diverse, so did the White House staff. President Thomas Jefferson (1801-09) employed three Frenchmen and five Irishmen, and John Quincy Adams (1825-29) hired a Belgian valet. Before 1860, southern president also had enslaved workers, who worked alongside free African Americans and European-born servants. In 1909, President William H. Taft (1909-13) hired the first Filipino staff members, starting a tradition that continued throughout the 20th century. Today, a diverse staff from many backgrounds keeps the Executive Residence running smoothly. |