Eleanor Roosevelt: A Remarkable First Lady

Today we would like to tell you about Eleanor Roosevelt, a rather remarkable woman. She played an important role in many of the most important events of the last century. Not only as a diplomat, but also as a human rights activist. Eleanor was definitely one of the most influential people of the 20th century.

She was the niece of President Theodore Roosevelt Jr. and later married his distant cousin Franklin Delano Roosevelt. She became the first lady when he became President of the United States. This position was the platform on which she provided institutional support for social justice issues in the women’s liberation movement and universal human rights.

While the women who were first ladies before her only had a role as presidential hostesses with ceremonial duties, Eleanor Roosevelt added substance to the position. Not just for the government, but for American citizens. In fact, it went much further after her job as the US delegate to the UN. She left an important legacy after being in the White House during the time her husband was president.

Her early years

Eleanor was born in New York City into a wealthy and politically prominent American family. Some say she did not have a happy childhood since she lost both her parents before she turned ten. She studied at a private boarding school in London. There she met the person who became the most influential figure in her life, a teacher who instilled confidence in her and helped her become a strong and charismatic young woman.

She kept in touch with her fifth cousin, the promising Franklin Delano Roosevelt. They then married in 1905. They moved to Albany after he was appointed senator. They had six children, but lost one at an early age.

Eleanor was also involved in political affairs despite her many family responsibilities. She was a member of various organizations. Among them: League of Women Voters, Women’s Trade Union League and she was head of the Women’s Division of the Democratic National Committee . In addition, she was the head of a furniture factory and was chairman of the board for literature and history at an upper secondary school. She collaborated with the Red Cross during the First World War.

Eleanor Roosevelt becomes the first lady

Her ascension as First Lady occurred in 1933 when her husband was elected President of the United States for the first time. He was president for 12 years, and Eleanor Roosevelt was the first lady all along. She was quite strong-willed at a time when women had little relevance in public life, not least in public office. She gave over 300 lectures to female journalists and participated in all kinds of political events. Those who were in favor of women’s rights, especially for African American women.

Eleanor fought for the rights of the most disadvantaged. She advertised for them through the newspapers she wrote for. She wrote over 3,000 articles that were published in newspapers and magazines, including a monthly column in Woman’s Home Companion in which she encouraged people to share their stories. In addition, she published four books.

During World War II, she was in charge of civil defense. She also publicly protested against her husband’s decision to arrest thousands of Japanese immigrants.

Eleanor Roosevelt left an important legacy

Her husband died during his fourth term as president, but her activism did not end there. Instead of withdrawing from public life, Eleanor joined President Truman as a UN delegate. In fact, she co-wrote the UN magnum opus: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights from 1948. Her influence is present in the constitutions of many of the nations of the world where she helped protect the rights of all men and women around the world.

President Truman described her as “the first lady of the world” as a tribute to her human rights achievements. Furthermore, John F. Kennedy considered her the archetype of the American woman. She left a legacy that remains an inspiration to all first ladies after her. It was Eleanor who opened the field of politics for women. She died on April 23, 1962, in New York at the age of 78.

Eleanor continues to be an inspiration to many women around the world. Anyone who is currently fighting for the rights of women and minorities recognizes her significant impact on the issue.

The dignity of all people

When she died, many words of praise were written by her admirers. One of them, Adlai Stevenson, a representative of the United States at the United Nations, said of her: “I have lost more than one dear friend. I’ve lost an inspiration. She would rather light a candle than curse the darkness, and her glow has warmed the world ”.

This quote definitely defines her character and strength. It turns out that Eleanor Roosevelt lit a flame in everyone who knew her.