White House Historical Association

Rose Wood

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"Rose Wood," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/1057.
Position
Lady's Maid
Years in President's House
circa 1953 – 1961
Legal Status
Free Person
Gender
Female
Race/Ethnicity
White
Presidency
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Biography
Rose Wood served as First Lady Mamie Eisenhower’s personal maid during Dwight D. Eisenhower’s presidency. Little is known about her birth or early life. Rose’s responsibilities included sewing and altering Mrs. Eisenhower’s clothing, setting her hair, and accompanying her on various trips. (1) On one occasion, during the 1958 midterm elections, Rose joined President Eisenhower on a helicopter flight to Pennsylvania to vote, while Mrs. Eisenhower disliked helicopter travel and chose to go by car. (2)

Eisenhower family members and staff described Rose as a compassionate and trusted presence. According to Mamie’s granddaughter Mary Jean Eisenhower, Rose was considered “a lady’s lady,” helping the first lady get dressed, keep her wardrobe in order, and serving as a personal companion. (3) After leaving the White House, the Eisenhowers returned to Gettysburg, where Rose continued to work for Mrs. Eisenhower before retiring in 1961. (4) Little else is known about the remainder of her life.
Thank you to the Eisenhower National Historic Site for providing research assistance with this biography.
(1) Hazel Markel, "Look Who's Here: Peeping In On Capital Area Events With Hazel Markel, Top Lady of Radio and TV," The Washington Daily News (Washington, DC), April 24, 1954, [9] https://www.newspapers.com/image/1040499940/?match=1&terms=%22rose%20wood%22.
(2) Hazel Markel, "Look Who's Here: Peeping In On Capital Area Events With Hazel Markel, Top Lady of Radio and TV," The Washington Daily News (Washington, DC), April 24, 1954, [9] https://www.newspapers.com/image/1040499940/?match=1&terms=%22rose%20wood%22; National Park Service, "John and Delores Moaney," National Park Service, accessed April 15, 2025, https://www.nps.gov/people/john-and-delores-moaney.htm; "'Copter Flies President to Gettysburg to Vote," Evening Star (Washington, DC), November 4, 1958, [9] https://www.newspapers.com/image/869792975/?match=1&terms=%22Rose%20Wood%22.
(3) Mary Jean Eisenhower, interview by Nancy Smith, June 25, 1987, p. 26, Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library.
(4) National Park Service, Maid’s Room, video, Eisenhower National Historic Site, July 17, 2017, https://www.nps.gov/media/video/view.htm?id=62A1FB4F-1DD8-B71B-0B042C9429449044.
Birthplace
Unclear from context