Florence Kling Harding
Florence Kling Harding was referred to as “the business’s brains.” She was also vocal about political matters, often even more so than the President himself. She hosted many beautiful parties and was also extremely fashionable at the time, wearing the new silk neckbands that she used to conceal her wrinkles. She also participated in other “modern” activities such as taking aircraft rides, presenting movies after dinner, and reportedly serving alcohol to visitors during Prohibition. She was the first First Lady to be granted the right to vote and the first to possess a movie camera, a radio, and to welcome famous film actors to the White House.
Florence Kling Harding
Grace Anna Goodhue Coolidge
Grace Goodhue met Calvin Coolidge, a smooth-talking attorney, and soon became engaged to him. Her mother protested, and even though Calvin and his mother-in-law never reconciled, Grace and Calvin stayed married for the remainder of their lives. Calvin wanted everything to be dignified and unaffected; thus, all White House engagements were conducted in this manner at the time. Calvin’s second inauguration was devoid of a large public show, instead opting for private soirees. So Grace didn’t have a beautiful ballgown to speak of, but she was definitely dressed in the manner of the period on inauguration day.
Grace Anna Goodhue Coolidge
