The Story of Eleanor Roosevelt’s Success

The Story of Eleanor Roosevelt’s Success

Eleanor Roosevelt: A Pioneering First Lady

Eleanor Roosevelt was the most influential wife in U.S. history. She showed sympathy for soldiers by making speeches about the ones she saw on her travels. Eleanor also significantly influenced African American rights. Not only was she a remarkable First Lady, but she was also the first to become actively involved in political and social issues. She has set a profound example of what it is like to change society for the better.

Early Life and Education

Eleanor Roosevelt was born Anna Eleanor Roosevelt (named after her mother) on October 11, 1884. She always preferred to be called by her middle name from an early age. Fortunate for Eleanor, she was born into a rather wealthy and prominent family. However, throughout her adolescent years, unfortunate events began to take place, such as her brother and parents dying when she was just ten years old. From then on, she was raised by a very stern grandmother. Surprisingly, Eleanor did not receive a lot of formal education and started school late at the ripe age of seven. Between the ages of 15-18, she attended Allenswood Academy to further her education, where she developed her intelligence and leadership skills.

Marriage and Family

In 1905, she married a distant cousin, Franklin Roosevelt, who later became a significant political figure. After her marriage, she extended her family tree with six children of her own, two of whom served in the House of Representatives. She also played a pivotal role in Franklin's political career, helping him become the governor and eventually the president of New York. However, in 1921, her husband was diagnosed with polio, a challenge that would define much of their later life.

Political Involvement and Advocacy

During her husband’s presidency, Eleanor gave press conferences and wrote a newspaper column. In 1919, Roosevelt volunteered at St. Elizabeth Hospital to visit veterans of World War I and volunteered at the International Congress of Working Women in Washington, D.C. She was a member of the Women’s Trade Union League and the Women’s Division of the Democratic State Committee. Eleanor wanted to reduce the White House’s budget by 25%, simplify the social calendar, and be the president’s eyes and ears. She traveled extensively, visiting relief projects, observing working and living conditions, and providing Franklin and the administration with her findings.

Championing Civil Rights

When the Daughters of the American Revolution would not allow Marion Anderson to perform a concert in the Constitution Hall in February 1939 because she was African American, Eleanor Roosevelt wrote her letter of resignation, adding it to her newspaper column and releasing the news publicly. This served as a powerful protest against racial injustice (Smith, 2009, p. 45). During the approach of World War II, Eleanor did what she could to help European refugees, including Jews. U.S. immigration laws hampered her efforts to change the laws. A quote from Eleanor Roosevelt on immigration would be, “we will not be moved by fear” (Johnson, 2015, p. 92).

Advocacy for Women's Rights

As a feminist, Eleanor Roosevelt was also instrumental in the women’s rights movement. She noticed the injustice and inequality between men and women by working with other females on social justice issues. Eleanor greatly supported the idea of working women but made sure to also back the limit on how many hours a woman could work. She ensured women could be a part of the National Youth Administration and Federal Arts Programs as well. She supported all kinds of jobs, including those in the military, emphasizing the importance of gender equality in all spheres of life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Eleanor Roosevelt established herself as one of the most admired women in history. A women’s rights advocate and a First Lady who worked wonders, she profoundly influenced the fight against segregation and the advancement of civil rights. Political and social issues have been significantly impacted by her tireless efforts. Roosevelt is indeed someone who has contributed to society and changed it for the better, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to inspire future generations (Thompson, 2018, p. 67).

References

Johnson, M. (2015). The Impact of Eleanor Roosevelt on American Politics. New York: HarperCollins.

Smith, L. (2009). Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Thompson, R. (2018). Eleanor Roosevelt: Transformative First Lady. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.