Mrs.Lincoln's Dressmaker

There was an interesting article on one of my quilting blogs about a free black woman who worked for Mary Todd Lincoln as her personal modiste (dressmaker) and became a good friend.  Jennifer Chiaverini’s latest book, Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker evidently chronicles her life in historical fiction.   The following link gives more historical facts about her.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Keckly  Although born a slave,  Elizabeth Keckly was educated and worked as a dressmaker among society's elite.  She published an autobiography which can be downloaded for the Kindle. http://www.amazon.com/Behind-Scenes-...+years+a+slave  This primary source, the recent novel and the Internet article might give us some insight into women's lives back then.