Grace Tully
Encyclopedia
Grace Tully was private secretary
to U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt
(FDR).
Grace Tully was born on 9 August 1900 in Bayonne
, New Jersey
. Her father was a businessman and a loyalist to the Democratic Party
. He died when she was young, and Tully and her two sisters and brother were raised by their mother. She received her secretarial education at the Grace Institute
in New York
, and after graduating was appointed as secretary to Patrick Hayes, bishop
of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York
.
In 1928 Grace Tully started to work for the Democratic National Committee, and was assigned to assist Eleanor Roosevelt
who was organizing support for presidential nominee Al Smith
. Later that year, when FDR was nominated for Governor of New York
, Grace Tully went to work on his staff. After Roosevelt's successful election, Tully began serving as the assistant to Missy LeHand
, who was Roosevelt's personal secretary in Roosevelt's office at Albany, New York
. Tully was given the dictation and typing duties that Lehand disliked. Tully served with FDR for his four years as governor.
Grace Tully moved to Washington DC in 1933, when Roosevelt was elected President. Both she and Missy LeHand were important figures for FDR during his presidency. Tully frequently accompanied FDR on his trips to Hyde Park
and Shangri-La (today called Camp David
).
When Missy LeHand suffered a stroke 1941, Grace Tully took over her position as personal secretary to the President. Tully was, however, not a "companion" for Roosevelt in the same way as LeHand had been. She continued working for the President until his death in April 1945 in Warm Springs
, where she was present as he died. Then she served as the Executive Secretary for the FDR Foundation. In 1949 she published her memoirs, FDR: My Boss. In 1955 she joined the staff of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, working with Lyndon B. Johnson
, the Senate Majority Leader at the time. She retired ten years later and died in 1984.
Secretary
A secretary, or administrative assistant, is a person whose work consists of supporting management, including executives, using a variety of project management, communication & organizational skills. These functions may be entirely carried out to assist one other employee or may be for the benefit...
to U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
(FDR).
Grace Tully was born on 9 August 1900 in Bayonne
Bayonne, New Jersey
Bayonne is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. Located in the Gateway Region, Bayonne is a peninsula that is situated between Newark Bay to the west, the Kill van Kull to the south, and New York Bay to the east...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. Her father was a businessman and a loyalist to the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
. He died when she was young, and Tully and her two sisters and brother were raised by their mother. She received her secretarial education at the Grace Institute
Grace Institute
The nonprofit Grace Institute is dedicated to providing tuition-free education and training in business and administrative skills to economically disadvantaged women, along with the personal skills necessary for self-sufficiency, employability, and an improved quality of life.-Founding:In 1897,...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, and after graduating was appointed as secretary to Patrick Hayes, bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York covers New York, Bronx, and Richmond counties in New York City , as well as Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester counties in New York state. There are 480 parishes...
.
In 1928 Grace Tully started to work for the Democratic National Committee, and was assigned to assist Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was the First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945. She supported the New Deal policies of her husband, distant cousin Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and became an advocate for civil rights. After her husband's death in 1945, Roosevelt continued to be an international...
who was organizing support for presidential nominee Al Smith
Al Smith
Alfred Emanuel Smith. , known in private and public life as Al Smith, was an American statesman who was elected the 42nd Governor of New York three times, and was the Democratic U.S. presidential candidate in 1928...
. Later that year, when FDR was nominated for Governor of New York
Governor of New York
The Governor of the State of New York is the chief executive of the State of New York. The governor is the head of the executive branch of New York's state government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military and naval forces. The officeholder is afforded the courtesy title of His/Her...
, Grace Tully went to work on his staff. After Roosevelt's successful election, Tully began serving as the assistant to Missy LeHand
Missy LeHand
Marguerite Alice "Missy" LeHand was private secretary to U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt for 21 years.- Early life :...
, who was Roosevelt's personal secretary in Roosevelt's office at Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
. Tully was given the dictation and typing duties that Lehand disliked. Tully served with FDR for his four years as governor.
Grace Tully moved to Washington DC in 1933, when Roosevelt was elected President. Both she and Missy LeHand were important figures for FDR during his presidency. Tully frequently accompanied FDR on his trips to Hyde Park
Hyde Park, New York
Hyde Park is a town located in the northwest part of Dutchess County, New York, United States, just north of the city of Poughkeepsie. The town is most famous for being the hometown of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt....
and Shangri-La (today called Camp David
Camp David
Camp David is the country retreat of the President of the United States and his guests. It is located in low wooded hills about 60 mi north-northwest of Washington, D.C., on the property of Catoctin Mountain Park in unincorporated Frederick County, Maryland, near Thurmont, at an elevation of...
).
When Missy LeHand suffered a stroke 1941, Grace Tully took over her position as personal secretary to the President. Tully was, however, not a "companion" for Roosevelt in the same way as LeHand had been. She continued working for the President until his death in April 1945 in Warm Springs
Warm Springs, Georgia
Warm Springs is a city in Meriwether County, Georgia, United States. The population was 478 at the 2010 census.-History:Warm Springs first came to prominence in the 19th century as a spa town, due to its mineral springs which flow constantly at nearly 32 °C...
, where she was present as he died. Then she served as the Executive Secretary for the FDR Foundation. In 1949 she published her memoirs, FDR: My Boss. In 1955 she joined the staff of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, working with Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
, the Senate Majority Leader at the time. She retired ten years later and died in 1984.