Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt in Long Island, New York - NARA - 195449

Eleanor Roosevelt in school portrait - NARA - 197245

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Eleanor Roosevelt wearing her wedding dress in New York City - NARA - 195393

Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt with Anna and baby James, formal portrait in Hyde Park, New York 1908

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Eleanor Roosevelt and Fala at Val,Kill in Hyde Park, New York - NARA - 196181

Eleanor Roosevelt (October 11, 1884 – November 7, 1962) was an American political figure, diplomat, and activist. She served as the First Lady of the United States from March 4, 1933, to April 12, 1945, during her husband Franklin D. Roosevelt's four terms in office, making her the longest-serving First Lady of the United States. Roosevelt was a prominent advocate for civil rights, and she significantly expanded the role of the First Lady through her active participation in American politics.

Early Life

Eleanor Roosevelt was born Anna Eleanor Roosevelt on October 11, 1884, in New York City, to Elliott Roosevelt and Anna Hall Roosevelt. She was a niece of Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States. Orphaned by the age of ten, she was raised by her maternal grandmother. Roosevelt was educated by private tutors and at exclusive schools, including the Allenswood Academy in London, where she was influenced by the feminist headmistress Marie Souvestre.

Marriage and Family

In 1905, she married her fifth cousin once removed, Franklin D. Roosevelt. They had six children, one of whom died in infancy. Eleanor struggled with her duties as a mother and her role in the prominent Roosevelt family, but over time, she became an independent and politically active individual, influenced in part by her husband's political career.

First Lady of the United States

As First Lady, Roosevelt broke new ground by holding press conferences, writing a daily newspaper column, "My Day," and giving lectures and radio broadcasts. She focused on issues such as the welfare of youth, African-American rights, women's rights, and the plight of the poor. During World War II, she championed the cause of refugees and advocated for expanded roles for women in the workforce.

Human Rights and Later Career

After her husband's death in 1945, Roosevelt remained active in politics for the rest of her life. She was appointed by President Harry S. Truman as a delegate to the United Nations General Assembly, where she became the first chairperson of the preliminary United Nations Commission on Human Rights and played an instrumental role in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Roosevelt chaired the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women under President John F. Kennedy, focusing on issues such as women's employment, education, and social security. She continued to advocate for civil rights, women's rights, and social justice until her death on November 7, 1962.

Legacy

Eleanor Roosevelt is remembered as one of the most influential First Ladies in American history and a key figure in the 20th-century human rights movement. Her life and work have inspired countless individuals to engage in public service and advocacy for social justice.