Sarah Polk, born Sarah Childress on September 4, 1803, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, was the wife of James K. Polk, the 11th President of the United States, and served as First Lady from 1845 to 1849. Raised in a wealthy and well-educated family, she attended the Moravian Female Academy in North Carolina, one of the few institutions offering higher education to women at the time.

Sarah married James K. Polk in 1824 and became an active and influential partner in his political life. She was deeply interested in politics, often advising her husband, helping write speeches, and reading newspapers and congressional reports to stay informed. As First Lady, she brought a sense of refinement and seriousness to the White House, banning dancing, card games, and alcohol from official functions due to her strong Presbyterian faith.

After President Polk died just three months after leaving office in 1849, Sarah lived in their home, Polk Place, in Nashville, Tennessee, for more than 40 years. She remained a prominent and respected figure in society until her death on August 14, 1891.