She worked as a teacher of girls in Bangor, Maine, and afterward served as principal of the Charlestown Female Seminary in Boston.

Dr. Howell's Family (Boston, Lee and Shepard, 1869),[8] was written during months of great physical pain.

After its publication, Goodwin was for several years an invalid and only wrote short stories, sketches, and letters from Europe to religious newspapers.

One Among Many (Boston, Cupples, Upham and Company, 1884)[16] gave new evidence of her ability to represent real life.

Elizabeth and the roses : a legend of Hungary (Boston, Cupples, Upham and Company, 1886) was in the poetic genre.

Perhaps to Dorothy Gray (Boston; Damrell & Upsham, 1891)[19] the highest praise came from critics and literary friends.