Ona Maria Judge was twenty years old when the young enslaved woman walked out the doors of the Presidential mansion and never returned. Judge's courageous act of self-emancipation launched a national search and tested Washington's commitment to gradual abolition on the national stage. In this episode of Inventing the Presidency, Dr. Bruce Ragsdale and Ramin Ganeshram discuss abolition, slavery, and the remarkable stories of Ona Judge and Hercules Posey.

For bibliographies, suggested readings, and lesson plans, go to www.GeorgeWashingtonPodcast.com.

Inventing the Presidency is a production of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association and CD Squared Productions. This episode was written and directed by Dr. Anne Fertig. This episode was narrated by Tom Plott.