Eleanor Roosevelt 1884-1962

1. Unhappy childhood
   Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was born in New York City on October 11, 1884. Her father, Elliott Roosevelt, was President Theodore Roosevelt's younger brother. Eleanor's mother, Anna Hall, was a descendent of the Livingstons, a distinguished New York family.
   1. Orphaned at an early age
      By the time Eleanor was eight years old, both of her parents had died. She went to live with her grandmother Hall, who was a very strict disciplinarian.
   2. Very shy and awkward
      
2. Education gave her confidence
   
   1. Had private tutors until age 15
      
   2. Sent to a finishing school in England
      Eleanor bloomed at Allenswood. She excelled in languages and literature and became popular with other students. Headmistress Mademoiselle Marie Souvestre was a positive influence and friend.
   3. Part owner of Todhunter School in New York
      In 1927, Eleanor became part of owner of the school. She served as vice principal and taught history and government.
3. Interest in social work
   Eleanor returned to New York at age 18. She rejected her "high society" background and became active in social reforms. Through her work, she learned how the poor actually lived.
   1. Visited needy children
      
   2. Taught dancing and literature at community centers
      
   3. Founded furniture factory to help unemployed
      In 1926, Eleanor and Franklin founded the furniture company to aid the the unemployed in Hyde Park, New York.
   4. Worked with the Red Cross
      Franklin served in Washington as assistant secretary of the navy during World War I, while Eleanor worked with Red Cross. She did things like visit wounded soldiers.
4. Married Franklin D. Roosevelt
   While living in New York, Eleanor married her fifth cousin, Franklin D. Roosevelt, on March 17, 1905. Her uncle, President Theodore Roosevelt, gave her away at the wedding.
   1. Mother of six children
      One of her children died in infancy.
   2. Franklin was stricken with polio in 1921
      Eleanor served as her husbands "legs." As she reported her observations to the President, she served as an advocate for the rights and needs of the poor and disadvantaged.
      1. Became her husband's political stand-in
         Eleanor soon became a public figure in her own right.
         1. Lectured throughout the country
            Eleanor was persuasive in person and on radio and television. She was in great demand and lectured throughout the country.
5. First Lady of the Western World
   Franklin was elected president in 1932. Eleanor was a different type of first lady.
   1. Initiated weekly press conferences with female reporters
      
   2. Began syndicated newspaper column
      A prolific writer, she was the author of many articles and books. "My Day" ran until shortly before her death.
   3. Had own radio program
      
   4. Wrote many books
      Her books included: This is My Story (1937); This I Remember (1950); On My Own (1958); and Tomorrow is Now (1963-published after her death).
   5. Powerful voice in the Democratic party
      Eleanor was a strong supporter of Adlai Stevenson.
6. Activist and human rights champion
   
   1. Appointed to US delegation to the United Nations
      
   2. Head of the President's Commission on the Status of Women
      
   3. Tried to improve conditions for mentally ill
      
   4. Advocate of equal rights for women
      
   5. "What other single human being has touched and transformed the existence of so many? She walked in the slums and ghettos of the world, not on a tour of inspection, but as one who could not feel contentment when others were hungry."
      Adlai Stevenson