6.3 Eleanor Roosevelt and the redefinition of the First Lady role

Eleanor Roosevelt revolutionized the role of First Lady during the 1930s and 1940s. She transformed it from a ceremonial position to one of active political and social engagement, using her platform to advocate for women's rights, civil rights, and social welfare.

Her activism challenged gender norms and expanded perceptions of women's roles in politics. Despite facing criticism, Eleanor's work paved the way for future First Ladies and women in politics to take on more influential roles in American society.

Eleanor Roosevelt's Background and Activism

Early Life and Education

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• Eleanor Roosevelt was born into a wealthy and influential New York family, the Roosevelts, in 1884
  • Her early life was marked by personal tragedies, including the deaths of her parents and one of her brothers
• She was educated by private tutors and at Allenswood Academy in England
  • At Allenswood, she was exposed to progressive ideas and developed a sense of social responsibility
• In 1905, she married her fifth cousin, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and became involved in his political career
  • Franklin served as a New York state senator and as Assistant Secretary of the Navy

Experiences and Influences

• Eleanor's experiences during World War I further deepened her commitment to social causes and activism
  • She volunteered for the American Red Cross and visited wounded soldiers
• Her friendship with activists and reformers influenced her political views and encouraged her to use her position to advocate for change
  • These influential figures included Marie Souvestre, Lorena Hickok, and Mary McLeod Bethune

Redefining the First Lady

Transforming the Role

• As First Lady from 1933 to 1945, Eleanor Roosevelt transformed the role from a largely ceremonial position to one of active political and social engagement
• She held regular press conferences, becoming the first First Lady to do so
  • She used these platforms to discuss issues of importance to women and to promote her husband's New Deal policies
• Eleanor traveled extensively throughout the United States
  • She visited relief projects, labor unions, and marginalized communities, and reported her findings to the President and the public

Communication and Outreach

• Eleanor wrote a daily syndicated newspaper column, "My Day"
  • The column reached millions of readers and covered a wide range of topics, from politics and social issues to her personal experiences and observations
• Her activism extended beyond the United States
  • She worked to promote international cooperation and understanding through her involvement with the United Nations and other organizations

Eleanor Roosevelt's Advocacy Impact

Women's Rights

• Eleanor Roosevelt was a vocal supporter of women's rights
  • She worked to promote equal pay, better working conditions, and increased political participation for women
  • She encouraged women to become involved in politics and public life, and supported the appointment of women to government positions
• Her influence helped to secure women's inclusion in New Deal programs and to raise awareness of issues affecting women workers

Civil Rights

• As a member of the NAACP and a supporter of civil rights, Eleanor used her platform to speak out against racial discrimination and segregation
  • She resigned from the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) when they refused to allow African American singer Marian Anderson to perform at Constitution Hall
  • She arranged for Anderson to sing at the Lincoln Memorial instead
• Eleanor's support for civil rights helped to bring attention to the issue and to put pressure on the federal government to take action against discrimination

Social Welfare

• Eleanor advocated for expanded social welfare programs, including housing, education, and healthcare, as part of the New Deal and beyond
  • She played a key role in the creation of the National Youth Administration (NYA), which provided job training and employment for young people
  • She contributed to the establishment of the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA), which provided assistance to the unemployed
• Her advocacy helped to shape public opinion and to build support for social welfare programs that aimed to improve the lives of Americans affected by the Great Depression

Reception and Criticism of Eleanor Roosevelt's Activism

Public Response

• Eleanor Roosevelt's activism and outspokenness were groundbreaking for a First Lady
  • Her actions were met with both praise and criticism from the public and the media
• Supporters admired her commitment to social justice and her willingness to use her position to advocate for change
  • They saw her as a role model for women's political engagement and leadership

Criticism and Gender Norms

• Critics accused her of overstepping the boundaries of the First Lady role and of being too involved in politics
  • Some even referred to her as "the President in petticoats"
• The criticism faced by Eleanor Roosevelt reflected the gender norms and expectations of the time
  • These norms held that women, especially First Ladies, should focus on domestic and ceremonial duties rather than political activism

Challenging Gender Roles

• Despite the backlash, Eleanor's activism helped to challenge and expand societal perceptions of gender roles
  • She paved the way for future First Ladies and women in politics to take on more active and influential roles
• The public reception of Eleanor Roosevelt's activism demonstrated the ongoing tension between traditional gender expectations and the growing push for women's rights and political participation in the early to mid-20th century