In 1796, George Washington was the President of the United States and, inarguably, the single most powerful and beloved individual in the young country. As nearly every American schoolchild has learned over many generations, if he so desired, Washington could have been the first king of the USA. Ona Judge, a young enslaved maid, was not only one of the few people on the continent who dared to defy Washington, she inspired others to assist her in doing so.