Mary Alice Kemery, popularly known as Linda Goodman, was a New York Times bestselling American astrologer and poet. She wrote the first astrology book to make the New York Times Best Seller list. During World War II, she assumed the name Linda for a popular WCOM radio show in Parkersburg called Love Letters from Linda, where she read letters between soldiers and their loved ones, each accompanied by a popular song. While working in radio, she met her second husband, Sam O. Goodman, and adopted his last name. Her career began with writing for newspapers in the eastern and southeastern United States. Additionally, she wrote speeches for black American civil rights leader Whitney Young, who served as president of the National Urban League for several years.