Helen Taft Manning was the daughter of former US President William Howard Taft and First Lady Helen Herron. When her mother suffered a stroke, Helen left her studies and stayed at the White House to care for her. She helped her mother learn to walk and speak again. During this time, she also unofficially held the position of First Lady. Helen later completed her studies and became a professor of history. She also served as the dean at Bryn Mawr College. Helen was an intelligent, courageous, and dedicated woman.