First lady Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962), wife of Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945), the U.S. president from 1933-1945, was a leader in her own right and involved in numerous humanitarian causes throughout her life. The niece of President Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919), ER was born into a wealthy New York family. She married FDR, her fifth cousin once removed, in 1905. By the 1920s, ER, who raised five children, was involved in Democratic Party politics and numerous social reform organizations. Because of FDR's handicap, ER traveled the world, including the USA, being FDR's eyes and ears on the ground. In the White House, she was one of the most active first ladies in history and worked for political, racial and social justice. After President Roosevelt's death at age 63, ER was appointed By President Truman as the USA's delegate to the United Nations and continued to serve as an advocate for a wide range of human rights issues. She remained active in numerous causes and was a prolific writer until her death at age 78.
Purpose: Learn about the life and accomplishments of first lady Eleanor Roosevelt
Facilitators: Jane Alter, Mo Winograd, Mary Tousignant, Ruthmarie Mitsch (Guest Presenter - Lighthouse Bay), Jan Johnson (Guest Presenter - Shadow Wood) |
|
|
|
