Eleanor Roosevelt Thesis

"...Men go into politics to win elections and women go into politics to change the world: 'The vast majority of women, I believe, turn to politics as the only means through which to accomplish the ends they seek.'" (Cook) Eleanor Roosevelt is famous for her fierce determination to improve the lives of millions of Americans and, in the process, become an inspiration for women around the world. Previous First Ladies had always been subjected to a hostess-like role in the White House, without much say in the management of the government. Much like every other woman living in America at that time, First Ladies were expected to stay quiet in a man’s world. However, Eleanor had no intention of sacrificing her opinions and goals by staying behind

the scenes. Even though Eleanor was considered one of the first First Ladies to make a real impact on the US, she was not alone in her desire to break free of traditional roles of women. “‘I am more like a state prisoner than anything else,’ Martha Washington wrote, “there is a certain bounds set for me which I must not depart from- and as I can not do as I like. I am obstinate and stay at home a great deal.” (Troy) Many First Ladies felt their voices could not be heard and they were condemned to their routine. Although the world was modernizing, the role of the First Lady only followed tradition. This was evident to Eleanor, and acted as an impetus to make her stance for change.
When Eleanor’s husband, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, became president in 1933, the worst of the Great Depression had already enveloped the lives of about every American. With his New Deal ideas, FDR planned to revive the struggling Americans with his programs for Relief, Recovery, and Reform. Eleanor, also aware of the urgent situation, made it her goal to become an advocate for the struggling and invisible Americans in need of assistance. Citizens everywhere were affected by the depression, which made it so crucial for the Roosevelt’s new crusade.
This was also a time for the beginning of many new movements throughout the US. These included the Civil Rights movement, Feminist movement, and the movement to end poverty. All of these topics were very important to Eleanor Roosevelt and were the areas that she decided to focus a lot of her time. She was very passionate about helping those in need and changing the world in order to give undermined Americans a chance for a better life. Eleanor was very active in the community and wanted to be involved in the progression towards a new way of life in the United States, where everyone, no matter their gender, ethnicity, or social status could thrive freely. Although her critics accused her of meddling in affairs where she did not have authority, Eleanor Roosevelt used her position effectively to champion the rights of invisible Americans. In doing so, she redefined the role of all future First Ladies.
Eleanor Roosevelt’s frequent volunteering and traveling as the First Lady helped citizens see her as an activist who was concerned with aiding ordinary Americans.

When World War II broke out, ”Eleanor Roosevelt made numerous trips overseas to boost the spirits of troops and to inspect Red Cross facilities.” (Seibel) When the war started and women were needed to take over the jobs of the fighting men, Eleanor spent time in railroad yards, visiting hospitals, and working with the Navy Red Cross and Relief Society. She visited bombed London in England, as well as, the American troops in the South Pacific war zone in 1943. She went to Australia, New Zealand, and 17 South Pacific islands. This political cartoon embodies how Eleanor’s travels took her around the world, and with her, she took her opinions and influence, represented by her “My Day” newspaper article. Everywhere she went she brought her passion and care for her people. Her constant impulse to give support to others made her a very frequent visitor in hospitals, or anywhere they could use her help. On her trips she often tried to remind the troops about maintaining democracy, the goal of the war. She wanted to give them something to risk their lives for and encourage them not to lose hope. Eleanor was always very interested in being involved with the current events around the world. She took on every challenge that came her way because she adored meeting new people and finding ways to make use of herself. On her military visits, Eleanor wrote down requests made by troops, and reported them back to her husband in the White House. Franklin encouraged her trips, as she was representing him wherever she went. Eleanor was diligent about making sure that the requests she filed were addressed and responded

to.
Eleanor also traveled around the United States in order to look into the living conditions of citizens in different areas. “One week, she might investigate the terrible living conditions of West Virginia coal miners. The next, she would see how Jim Crow (segregation) laws denied rights to blacks in the South.” (Price) Eleanor showed her work ethic to the world by giving an extra effort to help the minorities living in the slums with the Junior League, as a young debutant. She also worked with the Consumer League in later years, learning about the poor working conditions of women. In her free time, Eleanor bought a sporty convertible, which she drove herself. That summer, she and her friend Lorena Hickok went on a tour of New England and Canada as "ordinary tourists". She made a surprise appearance, trying to stay in touch with ordinary citizens. Eleanor always made sure that she was aware of the problems of the nation and gave herself a mission to help in any way she could.
As Franklin was tragically unable to travel because of his diagnosis of Poliomyelitis, Eleanor realized the importance of her travel. Since he could not witness the successes, as well as, the failures of his programs, Eleanor took the role as his investigator, checking in on the progress that he had made around the country. “She inspected government relief projects without advance notice, as well as, coal miners in Appalachia, slum-dwellers in Puerto Rico, and sharecroppers in their tarpaper shacks in southern cotton fields.” (Freedman) As a helping hand to her paralyzed husband, Eleanor observed the effect that the New Deal programs had on the lives of all kinds of citizens. She wanted to be able to report back to Franklin with news on how he needed to change his approach, or what was going well. By being involved in the war effort and showing her face to the public as a helping figure, people could see her differently and perceive her actions in a positive way. By helping minorities, Roosevelt won over the hearts of US citizens and revealed herself as a caring, selfless individual. These efforts gave her an image of sincerity and made the citizens realize that she was truly interested in bettering the lives of the ordinary citizen. By worrying about the lives of citizens, she hoped that, in turn, Americans would realize that her intentions are all for their benefit.
Eleanor Roosevelt worked with other groups in order to better the lives of struggling Americans, showing her concern for the rights of others. Eleanor’s voice inspired many women around the US to take a stand for their opinions and for their rights. In an interview, "When the conversation turned on the condition of the country and the attitude women should take, Mrs. Roosevelt declared, 'Woman's duty is exactly what man's duty is. The time is one which requires courage and common sense on everybody's part.'" (Bureau) Eleanor joined many organizations like the League of Women Voters, the women's division of the New York State Democratic Party, and the Consumers League. She was very active in working towards women’s suffrage. Eleanor drafted bills, and even was the editor and advertising manager of the Women's Democratic News, writing editorials and articles. She published “Its Up to the Women” in order to reach out to women activists and spread her goal across America and spark new ideas. “ER began her New Deal for women in 1933, introducing public playgrounds, neighborhood houses, free night classes, public health programs, and the Visiting Home Nurse Service.” (Cook) Eleanor supported programs that aided jobless women and made friends with anyone fighting for a 48-hour work week for women, a fair minimum wage, and the right of women to organize into trade unions. She was passionate about investigating the working conditions of young females and visited factories and department stores where women worked 12-14 hours a day for a weekly wage of 6 dollars. Her efforts motivated women everywhere to rethink the traditional roles that they were taking and begin to question their futures.
Eleanor took interest in the younger generation of children growing up in the time of the Great Depression. She was concerned about their futures and how they could survive in such a difficult time economically. “Eleanor was particularly proud of the NYA (National Youth Association). Concern about the next generation of Americans had made her push hard for this New Deal program, which was established in 1935. It helped unemployed young people by offering part-time work and apprenticeships so they could either stay in school or learn a practical trade.” (Ennis) In 1938, Eleanor helped the American Youth Congress. This was an organization of youths who Eleanor deemed courageous and responsible enough to uphold the New Deal and fight fascism. The children of this new generation looked up to Eleanor for help and she was very willing to help them in any way possible.
Eleanor was at a disadvantage as the First Lady because she was not respected by all Americans. However, her close proximity to the president gave her a chance to present her ideas with a better chance of success. “Since Eleanor did not have the power that FDR did, she often was not shy to tell him her opinions and stick to them.” (Freedman) Eleanor had many strong opinions about the difficulties of minorities. She took special action to help the civil rights movement in the NAACP and befriended various African American leaders. She also aided the Jewish immigrants during WWII by influencing FDR to create the American Friends Service Committee to provide home for immigrants, even though, this did not last for long. In order for all of this to happen, Eleanor had to stand up for her beliefs and take opportunities to influence her husband for change. Eleanor had to remind FDR to tell his advisers that women were a part of the world, too. Frances Perkins, FDR's secretary of labor, was the first woman to be chosen to serve in the president's cabinet. More women began working in government posts because of Eleanor’s influence. She changed lives for minorities everywhere and gave many hard-working women, African Americans, immigrants, and impoverished people hope for a better tomorrow. Through this, she gained their trust and made them feel important to the government. Struggling citizens realized that she was on their side and was an asset in their fight for rights. Her radical ideas became a crucial part of federal efforts to ease hardship and recover the economy.
Most of the time, there were positive reactions to Eleanor Roosevelt's actions changing America’s view of the First Lady’s role. Citizens, once they understood that she was on their side, and fighting for their rights, began to think of her as their protector. She became almost like a mother of the United States. As Eleanor’s reputation grew, she started to receive thousands of letters from citizens. Some contained gratitude for her efforts, but most were pleas for help, asking for loans to pay for education, clothes, and medicine. She also got requests for social advice and support, as if she was a close friend. “Eleanor Roosevelt tried to read about 5% or about 50 letters a day because she took a strong interest in the correspondence.” (Cohen) Eleanor could rarely ever aid youths with the material aid that they requested. Some were directed to seek help from New Deal agencies, charities, or educational institutions. Most were turned down by the office. Although she was unable to help all of these writers, she tried to read some of them, or have her staff read them, and take into consideration the requests that are made.
Eleanor always wanted to be connected to the citizens that she was helping. She loved to be involved in change and getting feedback about her actions. "I hate the idea that I might ever lose touch with people. I don't want to be a 'shut-in'." (Crowd Mind Read) Eleanor, unlike any other previous First Lady, held press conferences and let the citizens into what decisions were being made in the White House. In her conferences, she allowed women reporters to ask her questions, wishing to promote their jobs. She valued an open government-citizen relationship. She thought that the people had the right to know how their government was protecting them. She hoped for a mutual relationship of trust and truth.
Eleanor’s many accomplishments gave her a large reputation as an activist, which is relatively strange for a First Lady at that time. “People began to spread word that Eleanor had interesting views and she became a new and powerful force in life. Newspapers wanted statements from her and magazines asked her to write articles.” (Freedman) In her frequent newspaper article entitled, “My Day”, she shared her views and actions, surprising the public. In the United Nations, she made an large impression, making her stand out from all of the other members. Almost everyone wanted her opinion on various nationwide topics. By letting the public into her life with her newspaper and with her press conferences, she created a personal relationship with each citizen. The letters sent to her show that the public relied on her for help and trusted her with their lives. People all around the world followed her actions in the UN and in various other groups. Their positive reactions to her behavior shows that they had accepted this new kind of First Lady with slightly a different approach than what they were used to.
Even though Eleanor's efforts to improve the lives of "invisible" Americans were celebrated by many, there were critics that despised her interference with traditional First Lady roles with radical actions. Citizens were used to First Ladies that stayed at home and made no contributions to the running of the country. Many did not like that she changed the traditional role of First Women from being a White House hostess to a strong politician. “Although Roosevelt was admired by many, her high political profile was harshly criticized by people who believed she was too opinionated and influential.” (Roosevelt, Anna Eleanor) When Eleanor made her appearance as a strong female figure, people were caught off guard by her innovation and unusual ideas. Many thought that she would bring America into war with her radical opinions. There were also those who still believed that a woman’s place was at the home and who were angered by her ambition. However, Eleanor did not let those opposed to her get in her way of achieving her goals. “... she [Eleanor] responded by stating that she would continue to live her life, not according to anyone else's ideas, and that she was sorry if her actions offended anyone.” (Freedman) Her strong work ethic helped her look past the insults and doubt that she was constantly facing.
Some citizens also believed that her new ideas would stray from the principals of the United States. “The NYA was one of the most popular of the New Deal programs, but some thought that it undermined the self-reliance of the nation’s youth, and segregationists opposed to it because it included African Americans.” (Freedman) Self-reliance was an idea that made many oppose to the Roosevelts’ New Deal programs because some did not want to accept the help that they needed. It is true that Eleanor brought in many new ideas that would result in a change for minorities all over the country. This might have seemed like a negative in the eyes of those who thought that African Americans, women, immigrants, the impoverished, and many more minorities should not be aided. Some even thought that her strong, radical opinions would cause war in the United States. Since her programs mostly targeted helping minorities feel supported, others felt ignored. However, it was the best way for the country as a whole to develop after the Great Depression and World War II.
Even the people with whom Eleanor was working with to help felt that she was intruding into places where she should not. As she traveled around the world during World War II to visit the troops, many of them were happy to see her concern for their safety. However, “Many military officers considered Eleanor a ‘do-gooder.’ They did not want to be responsible for her safety in dangerous war zones. Privates and sergeants grumbled about the first lady's purely political trips.” (Ennis) A war zone was no place for the First Lady, and officers were angry because of the attention she was bringing to herself when she came to visit. They despised how her trips were only for political reasons and that she was trying to look like a helpful hand. Later, when Eleanor joined the UN, other men UN delegates were unhappy to be working with a woman as their equal. “They assigned Eleanor to Committee Three which dealt with humanitarianism, educational, and cultural issues. They put her there so that she would not mess with politics and economics, yet this committee ended up being one of the most important.” (Freedman) As Eleanor began to show the world that women can get just as much accomplished as men, there was a strong backlash from those who believed that men were superior and should run the country. However, Eleanor was not going to be submissive, so she tried as hard as she could to make a difference wherever she could.
The arguments against Eleanor Roosevelt, although truthful, do not look at all of the good that her actions made. “Even the President's harshest critics saw the good in Eleanor's work. One of them wrote, "I think we can take the wraps off and call her the greatest American woman, because there is no other who works as hard or knows the lowdown truth about the people and the trouble in their hearts as well as she does.” (Price) Her strong opinions, although radical, helped the nation strengthen minorities and struggling citizens, while giving First Ladies and women everywhere the inspiration to speak up in order to benefit the country.
Eleanor set the stage for future First Ladies to take action in politics and in national affairs to make their own change in the world. Today, First Lady Michelle Obama still recognizes the influence of Eleanor Roosevelt on her life. She admits that she still looks up to her and follows her lead. To fill her shoes, she has made an impact with her “Let’s Move!” campaign, which is working to increase health and stop the growth of obesity as a national issue. “Eleanor Roosevelt is one of my idols. She is probably one of the greatest first ladies that have ever lived, with her active engagement in this country and being able to shift norms in ways that are important...Eleanor Roosevelt was part of the inspiration.” (Ten Questions) Since Eleanor’s time, there has been much effort made by First Ladies like Michelle Obama to live up to the standard that Roosevelt set for future First Ladies. Now that First Ladies feel pressure to make a difference, they can have trouble with finding where to start. Eleanor’s successes in acting on her progressive ideas have influenced others to do the same. In this way, new First Ladies are looking to her for guidance in their work.
The First Lady's’ role, before Eleanor Roosevelt, was similar to the role of an ordinary housewife. She was expected to serve as a hostess at the White House and was expected to have no influence in politics once so ever. Her opinions were kept quiet and she was of no major importance to the nation. “The ideology of domesticity constrained all wives, especially the President's wife. The one consistent duty was that of the President's hostess.” (Troy) This tradition of the impediment of women was broken when Eleanor stepped forward to show that men are not the only ones who can make a difference in the world.
After Eleanor Roosevelt retired, it was assumed that preceding First Ladies would take up Roosevelt’s unfinished work and continue her legacy of public involvement and political interest. All of the public, now interested in the role of the First Lady, watched carefully, awaiting a new First Lady to bring new ideas to the nation. They could not all live up to Eleanor’s many accomplishments, but they knew that the expectations of First Ladies had changed forever. “All of Mrs. Roosevelt's successors, including the supposedly passive Bess Truman and Mamie Eisenhower, would be operating as modern First Ladies, on the political stage, and in the public eye.” (Troy) Even today, decades after the influence of Eleanor Roosevelt, she reminds people of her courage and intelligence. She continues to inspire active women in politics and fighting for one’s opinion. By successfully straying from the typical traditionalist First Lady image, she showed the nation how much one person, even a woman, can impact the world.
Eleanor Roosevelt became one of the most commonly known and respected women in America. “She got to meet more world leaders and people and travel more miles than any other woman in history.” (Coe) Even though when she began as the First lady she was disliked, she quickly proved herself of the job. Most would say that the major success of her career was in 1948, as the 18th member of the UN Human Rights Commission, when she drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. All of her efforts to improve the lives of the “invisible” Americans payed off and made a real change in the world. Although she faced opposition, her strong determination and hard work pushed her to focus on her goals. Her time as First Lady, not only changed her life, but taught those around her to be more accepting of new ideas and ways of thinking. Eleanor seemed like a nuisance, at first, who was only interested in changing the way the US had worked for years. However, she because one of the biggest influences for the United States and succeeded in achieving her goals of lifting up the struggling Americans.
As a result of Eleanor’s work, we have seen modern First Ladies being more active in public, traveling, and starting their own campaigns in light of what Eleanor started for First Ladies. After Eleanor, First Lady Nancy Reagan created her “Just Say no to Drugs” Campaign, and later, Hillary Clinton started a National Healthcare Crusade. There are now different expectations for First Ladies that was not there before Eleanor. Even today, Michelle Obama is inspired by her bravery. Also, Eleanor’s fight for the rights of minorities has since prospered and spread equality to the women, African Americans, immigrants, and other minorities of America. Eleanor Roosevelt defied the odds and inspired hope for those suffering in the United States including those fighting in war, as well as oppressed minorities. Lastly, she showed women that their voices should be heard. She changed the view of First Ladies in the United States forever, and ignited change in the lives of all Americans.