Florence Kling Harding
Florence Kling Harding was dubbed “the business’s brains.” She was very outspoken on political issues, frequently more so than the President himself. She had many gorgeous parties and was also very stylish at the time, wearing new silk neckbands to hide her wrinkles. She also engaged in “modern” activities including taking plane rides, showing movies after dinner, and allegedly giving alcohol to visitors during Prohibition. She was the first First Lady to be granted the right to vote, as well as the first to own a movie camera, a radio, and to host famous cinema stars at the White House.
Florence Kling Harding
Grace Anna Goodhue Coolidge
Grace Goodhue met Calvin Coolidge, a smooth-talking attorney, and became engaged to him soon after. Her mother objected, and despite the fact that Calvin and his mother-in-law never reconciled, Grace and Calvin remained married for the rest of their lives. Calvin wanted everything to be respectable and unaffected, therefore all White House engagements at the time were performed in this manner. Calvin’s second inauguration lacked a major public spectacle, instead choosing for private soirees. So Grace didn’t have a lovely ballgown to speak of, but she has dressed appropriately for the occasion on inauguration day.
Grace Anna Goodhue Coolidge
