Mary Ball Washington, born in 1708, was George Washington's mother, the first President of the United States. She was a strong and impressive woman in her own right. Her life was during a time of great change in colonial America, and she had a big, though often unnoticed, influence on her son's personality, beliefs, and his lasting impact. While she is often just known as George Washington's mother, Mary Ball Washington was a very special person, known for her strength, independence, and strong moral values.