MRS. COOLIDGE GIVES ROSES TO 50 LOCAL WORKING GIRLS
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On December 24, 1923, The Evening Star reports "more than fifty working girls" received La France roses* as gifts from First Lady Grace Coolidge**. The girls work in the local stores where Mrs. Coolidge purchases her clothing.
The roses were "brought to exquisite perfection" by the White House gardener. Each bouquet of roses included a large envelope with The White House imprinted in gold letters. Inside was a personal note for each girl written in the First Lady's own hand.
The working girls agreed that Mrs. Coolidge is "the finest first lady that ever set foot in the White House."
*Rosa 'La France' is a pink rose cultivar found in France in 1867, the first hybrid tea rose.
**Grace Goodhue Coolidge (1879-1957) was born in Burlington, Vermont & graduated from the University of Vermont, 1902. GGC served as 1st Lady of Massachusetts 1919-1921 & 1st Lady of the United States 1923-1929.
SOURCE
"50 Shopgirls Glory in Gift Of Roses from Mrs. Coolidge," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., December 24, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
