Grace Goodhue and Calvin Coolidge was an unlikely pair. She was friendly. He was not. In fact, he was known as Silent Cal.

Grace attended the University of Vermont. She was popular. She had wavy black hair. Her eyes were hazel. She loved to dance.

Grace taught deaf children for four years. She gave up teaching when she married Calvin.

He had old-fashioned views on married life. They agreed to keep separate his career and their family life. He never asked for her views on politics.

Grace eased the way when Calvin became vice-president. She was liked by all, even if her husband was very quiet. Calvin became president when Harding died in office.

Grace was a very likeable First Lady. She typed her own letters. She gardened and kept fit. She kept a pet raccoon named Rebecca. She cheered for the Boston Red Sox. The White House staff nicknamed her Sunshine. The public loved her.

She dressed with taste and style. Although very thrifty, Calvin always wanted Grace to have lovely clothes. She made red a popular clothing color. Calvin had strict rules on Grace’s hairstyle and skirt length.

Calvin chose not to run for re-election. He did not tell Grace. She read about it. But she was pleased. They returned to Vermont. Grace wrote poetry. She helped the deaf.

After Calvin died in 1933, Grace took her first plane ride. She traveled to Europe for the first time. She continued to cheer for the Red Sox.