"Eleanor shattered the ceremonial mold in which the role of the First Lady had traditionally been fashioned, and reshaped it around her own skills and her deep commitment to social reform. She gave a voice to people who did not have access to power. She was the first woman to speak in front of a national convention, to write a syndicated column, to earn money as a lecturer, to be a radio commentator and to hold regular press conferences."
-Time Magazine in their 1998 Time 100
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt (better known as Eleanor Roosevelt) is quite possibly America's most influential first ladies. Although awkward and shy as a young girl, Roosevelt grew into a knowledgeable, powerful woman who would make her mark in American History. Born to Anna Hall and Elliot Roosevelt in 1884, Eleanor was the second of seven children, and the niece of Theodore Roosevelt. Her parents died when she was young (her mother when she was 8 and her father when she was 10) and the young Roosevelt began living with her grandmother in New York where she was educated by private tutors. At age 15, Eleanor was sent t England to attend a girl's school where she met Mademoiselle Marie Souvestre, the headmistress, who had a powerful influence on Roosevelt's thinking. Three years later, she returned to New York where she met Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a distant cousin.
In 1905 she married Franklin and over the next 11 years gave birth to 6 children. During this time she was cut off from her service work in a New York City settlement house, where she had discovered confidence and security. In 1918 Eleanor had a haunting suspicion that Franklin was having an affair. Divorce was threatened, but the issue was resolved. After this incident, Eleanor renewed her relationship with various reformist organizations; focusing her energy on them instead of her marriage. During this time she learned that she had a knack for public speaking and organizing. She formed lifelong friends with other women which heightened Eleanor's sense of security.
In 1921 Franklin Roosevelt, who was the democratic nominee for vice president, became paralyzed with polio. Eleanor took the reigns during this time, traveling the country to discover more about the people that her husband was helping to govern. It soon became clear that the two were a powerful team with the ability to inspire the American public to accept social change. During Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency she traveled through the United States independent of her husband, visiting relief projects, observing living conditions, and bringing about social reform. She often reported back to her husband and helped to advise him in his decisions as president.
When her husband died in 1945 Eleanor expected the media to lose interest in her work as well as her life. But her popularity grew. President Truman appointed her to the United States Delegation to the United Nations. She held the position until 1953, when she resigned. After resigning her position, Roosevelt volunteered with many organizations, was reappointed to the United States Delegation to the United Nations and earned herself a variety of awards. She was also in high demand as a public speaker in the media and in person. She became a well-known writer through her multi-volume autobiography, various columns (including her syndicated column "My Day", which she wrote from 1935 until shortly before her death in 1962), and her monthly question and answer pieces for Ladies Home Journal and McCalls.
In November 1962, Eleanor Roosevelt passed away in her New York home. She remains buried next to her beloved husband at their estate, which is now a national historic site. Eleanor will always be remembered as the "First Lady of the World".
For more information on the FDR National Historic Site, please go here.
Sources:
FDR Library
Time 100
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