First Lady, Grace Coolidge was born on January 3, 1879 in Burlington, Vermont, the only child to Lemira Barrett and Andrew Goodhue. Her father was an inspector of steamboats and her mother was a homemaker. She attended the University of Vermont were she participated in many activities. She sang in the glee club, acted, and helped found the University of Vermont's chapter of Phi Beta Phi, a national women's sorority. For awhile she taught at the Clark School for the deaf in Northampton, Massachusetts. TOP

Grace first met the future President Calvin Coolidge at school. After their courtship, they were married on October 4, 1905 in a simple ceremony. Her mother strongly disapproved.
One year after they were married, their first son, John was born. Two years later, their second son, Calvin Junior was born. Grace was considered an asset because of her charming manner. She made jokes of her husband's peculiarities which turned him into a likable character. TOP

After the death of Warren Harding, Calvin Coolidge became President of the United States in 1923. The summer after they moved into the White House, their son Calvin died at the age of 16. He developed a blister on one of his toes during a tennis game which caused an infection that the doctors could not cure. During their years in the White House, she promoted charitable causes especially those involved with helping deaf children. TOP

After their term in office ended, she lived twenty-four years longer than her husband. Her latter years were spent publishing poems and articles. She became president of the board of the Clark School for the Deaf. She died on July 8, 1957 at her home in Northampton.TOP