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Eleonor RooseveltDiplomat, wife of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Date of Birth: 11.11.1884
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Biography of Eleanor Roosevelt
- Early Life and Family
- Marriage to Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Political and Social Activism
- First Lady and Beyond
Biography of Eleanor Roosevelt
IntroductionEleanor Roosevelt was an American social and political activist, author, journalist, and diplomat. She is best known as the wife of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and for her significant contributions to social and political causes. She served as the First Lady of the United States for four terms, from March 1933 to April 1945. Eleanor Roosevelt was not an ordinary First Lady and was highly regarded for her public and political activism.
Early Life and Family
Eleanor Roosevelt was born on November 11, 1884, in New York City. She was the first child of Elliott and Anna Livingston Hall Roosevelt. Her parents' marriage ended due to her father's alcoholism. Eleanor did not consider herself beautiful and often referred to herself as an "ugly duckling." Her mother, on the other hand, was considered a beauty. Eleanor's upbringing was challenging, as her mother often made fun of her appearance and behavior, referring to her as a "funny little girl."
Her father, unlike her mother, displayed immense love for Eleanor. He affectionately called her "Little Nell" and would take her on horseback rides. However, there were instances when he forgot about her and left her alone in a club while he spent time with his friends at the bar. Despite his absence, Eleanor loved her father deeply and always spoke of him with tenderness and respect. Unfortunately, her father passed away when she was only eight years old, followed by the death of her mother two years later.
After the death of her mother, Eleanor and her two brothers moved to New York City to live with their grandmother, Valentine Hall. Valentine was a wealthy widow who provided her grandchildren with a good education. Eleanor took horseback riding, dance, singing, and music lessons before pursuing literature.
Marriage to Franklin D. Roosevelt
Eleanor's life changed when she met her distant cousin, Franklin Roosevelt, at a family gathering. Franklin, a tall, sociable, and handsome young man, was immediately interested in Eleanor. Both had serious ambitions in life and shared a keen interest in social and political issues. Despite Eleanor's initial reservations about their relationship, she eventually accepted Franklin's proposal, and they were married on March 17, 1905. Their wedding became a significant social event, with a crowd gathering outside their Manhattan home. Eleanor and Franklin had six children together, five sons and one daughter.
Political and Social Activism
Throughout her husband's political career, Eleanor actively participated in various social and political causes. She believed that "a woman's duty is to live up to her husband's interests" and supported Franklin's endeavors. In the early years, she had little interest in politics and was surprised by Franklin's advocacy for women's suffrage. However, as she became more involved in the political arena, she advocated for women's rights and equal opportunities.
During World War I, Eleanor volunteered with the Red Cross, sewing clothes for soldiers and working in military hospitals. She also became an advocate for women's labor rights, especially on industrial factory floors where women took up jobs while men were at war. In 1918, she participated in the International Congress of Working Women, where she discussed the working conditions and rights of American women.
Eleanor's involvement in politics continued as Franklin served as the governor of New York. She visited prisons, hospitals, and other public institutions and reported her findings to her husband. They often had differences of opinion, particularly regarding prohibition, but they agreed on most other issues. Eleanor actively campaigned for Franklin during the 1928 presidential election, giving speeches and engaging with voters.
First Lady and Beyond
When Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected President of the United States in 1932, Eleanor Roosevelt became the First Lady. During her time in the White House, she transformed the role of the First Lady, making it more socially and politically active. She held press conferences, wrote a newspaper column, and advocated for civil rights, women's rights, and social welfare programs. Her efforts in promoting human rights led to her election as the chairperson of the United Nations Human Rights Commission in 1946.
Eleanor's reputation as a compassionate and capable leader grew over the years. She traveled extensively, both domestically and internationally, meeting with world leaders and promoting her causes. Her dedication to social justice and equality earned her the nickname "First Lady of the World" from President Harry S. Truman.
After her husband's death in 1945, Eleanor continued her work as a diplomat and advocate for human rights. She remained active in politics and social causes until her death on November 7, 1962. Eleanor Roosevelt's legacy as a trailblazer for women's rights and human rights continues to inspire generations of activists and leaders.
