Eleanor+Roosevelt

“I believe our chance for peace in the future, and for the strengthening of the United Nations organization to the point where it can maintain peace in the future (Black).” Eleanor Roosevelt wasn’t just the first lady, but was one of the most powerful women in America for 30 years (Williams).Franklin Roosevelt met Eleanor at a Christmas party asking her to dance (Lash). Upon the death of her husband, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt became a symbol in her own independence as a spokeswoman of international human rights (Roosevelt). President Harry S. Truman helped Eleanor earn a nickname “First Lady of the World” (Roosevelt).

Personal Background
Eleanor Roosevelt was born in New York City on October 11, 1884, daughter of Anna Hall and Elliott Roosevelt, younger brother of Theodore Roosevelt. Once Eleanor’s mother passed away in 1892, the children went to live with Grandmother Hall. Two years later, her adored father died of alcoholism. At the age 15, Eleanor attended a successful school in England that gave her, her first chance to begin self-confidence among other girls (Black). Reluctantly, Eleanor returned to New York to make her first appearance in 1902.

In 1905, Eleanor married Franklin D. Roosevelt. She was teaching at the Rivington Street Settlement house when she became pregnant to their first daughter Anna in 1906. She then had James (1907), Franklin (1909, who died soon after birth), Elliott (1910), Franklin (1914), and John (1916) (Cooney). In Albany, where FDR served in the state Senate from 1910 to 1913, Eleanor started her career as a political helpmate. Eleanor gained knowledge of Washington and its ways while FDR worked as an Assistant Secretary of the Navy. Eleanor became active in the women’s division of the State Democratic Committee to keep FDR’s interest in politics alive (Black). Her personal and social outlook inspired millions (Freedman).

In 1933, Mrs. Roosevelt became the First Lady of the White House. She would travel to all parts of the country to give lectures and radio broadcasts. This made her a fascinating target for political enemies. After the death of the President in 1945, Mrs. Roosevelt returned to a cabin at his Hyde Park estate, and told the reporters: “the story is over” (Black). A year later, she began working as an American spokeswoman in the United Nations (Cooney). She continued a strong career until her strength began to get weak in 1962. Eleanor died in New York City that November. She was buried at Hyde Park beside her husband (Black).

Eleanor Roosevelt was born in New York City on October 11, 1884, daughter of Anna Hall and Elliott Roosevelt, younger brother of Theodore Roosevelt (Black). Once Eleanor’s mother passed away in 1892, the children went to live with Grandmother Hall (Black). Two years later, her adored father died of alcoholism (Black). At the age 15, Eleanor attended a successful school in England that gave her, her first chance to begin self-confidence among other girls (Black). Reluctantly, Eleanor returned to New York to make her first appearance in 1902 (Cooney).

In 1905, Eleanor married Franklin D. Roosevelt (Cooney). She was teaching at the Rivington Street Settlement house when she became pregnant to their first daughter Anna in 1906 (Cooney). She then had James (1907), Franklin (1909, who died soon after birth), Elliott (1910), Franklin (1914), and John (1916) (Cooney). In Albany, where FDR served in the state Senate from 1910 to 1913, Eleanor started her career as a political helpmate (Black). Eleanor gained knowledge of Washington and its ways while FDR worked as an Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Black). Eleanor became active in the women’s division of the State Democratic Committee to keep FDR’s interest in politics alive (Black). Her personal and social outlook inspired millions (Freedman).

In 1933, Mrs. Roosevelt became the First Lady of the White House (Black). She would travel to all parts of the country to give lectures and radio broadcasts (Black). This made her a fascinating target for political enemies (Black). After the death of the President in 1945, Mrs. Roosevelt returned to a cabin at his Hyde Park estate, and told the reporters: “the story is over” (Black). A year later, she began working as an American spokeswoman in the United Nations (Coonney). She continued a strong career until her strength began to get weak in 1962 (Black). Eleanor died in New York City that November (Black). She was buried at Hyde Park beside her husband (Black).

Obstacles
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Eleanor’s biggest obstacle was her father drinking. Eleanor Roosevelt’s challenges began at a very young age with a mother who belittled her. She was a very unhappy child. She was very self-conscious about her appearance. Mrs. Roosevelt married her own cousin Franklin D. Roosevelt and had a son of inbreeding. Her first son, Franklin, died after Eleanor giving birth. Franklin Roosevelt died while Eleanor was working in the office (Isis). Eleanor had many enemies growing up (Matthews). It is in her public life and career that Eleanor Roosevelt is most likely to wrestle with these issues. The latter will impact Roosevelt's reputation and standing in her community or professional circle, as well as how Eleanor Roosevelt achieves her important life goals and aspirations. Roosevelt doubts her own intelligence and mental capacities, and she may work very hard at studies in order to compensate for this. Eleanor is often overly serious and disinterested in light or superficial conversation. Spontaneous communication, social give-and-take, and making small talk are likely to be difficult for her (Andrews). Eleanor Roosevelt didn’t really have any obstacles. Her very big ones were when her mom would judge her and the way her dad acted with her due to his alcohol problem (Pettit).

Historical Significance
Eleanor Roosevelt was one of the most effective and well liked First Lady. She spoke out against injustices where she saw them (Smith). She advocated women's rights before the modern day women's rights movement began and convinced her husband to appoint women to important positions in his administration. She supported civil rights for minorities, especially Black Americans (Black). During the Depression she traveled around the country gaining support for the New Deal and providing hope to those in need. She was an advocate of better working conditions and wages for workers and supported Unions. She was sent abroad by her husband to be a representative of America to many nations and areas in the world. She was a universal "first lady"(Pettit).

Eleanor worked with the underprivileged in the East Side slums of New York City. She taught the children of the slum dwellers dance and literature. In fact she cared for them and did whatever she could do to make their lives better (Ferrer). Eleanor Roosevelt was instrumental in creating an organization called National Youth Administration (NYA) to provide financial aid to students and hands-on job training to both men and women (Black). She worked for the betterment of African-Americans. The issues relating to African-Americans were of great concern to her and she worked with organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) (Jerry).

Eleanor Roosevelt volunteered for the war effort second time, when United States entered World War II. She became the assistant director of the Office of Civilian Defense (OCD). She had worked towards gathering civilian volunteers to participate in the war effort. She also visited the US troops abroad (Dallek). In 1945, Franklin died in office and Eleanor stepped down as the First Lady. By then she had already created individuality and space for herself through her social work. United Nations appointed her as their delegate (Black). She was an expert in issues relating to humanitarianism. In 1946, she became the chairperson of the UN Human Rights. In 1948, Eleanor drafted the "Universal Declaration of Human Rights". This law affirmed liberty and equality to all people regardless of their creed, race and color. She was instrumental in the establishment of the State of Israel. In 1952, even though she had resigned from the United Nations she remained an unofficial ambassador of the Middle East, Asia and Europe (Matthews).

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Pettit, Stefanie.."ROOSEVELT'S KINDNESS REMEMBERED" //Spokesman Review.// 02 Oct. 2014: N1. //eLibrary.// Web. 16 Oct. 2014. **SE #3**

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