Eleanor Roosevelt
First Lady of The World
An Inspiration to All
“She would rather light a candle than curse the darkness, and her glow has warmed the world “, said Adlai Stevenson. Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was an inspiring role model who believed in human rights. Without her, America’s first ladies wouldn’t be the same. A bold, energetic, and warm first lady named Eleanor Roosevelt has lit a candle, and it hasn’t gone out.
Eleanor in her Teens
Eleanor with the White House
The Bold Woman Eleanor Came to Be
The Life of Eleanor Roosevelt
As a Child
Eleanor Roosevelt was born on October 11, 1884. Even though she was an amazing person when she grew up, Eleanor had a very troubled childhood. Her father drank too much and her mother didn't love her. She also thought she was ugly, too tall, and her teeth stuck out. Eleanor later experienced a horrible loss. Her mother died when she was eight, and her father died two years later, in 1894. Eleanor was soon sent to an academy. The experience drew her out of her shell. When she got out of school, she was worried. Eleanor was expected to find a husband. She did not think she would be able to, but when she met up her distant realitive, she found love at last. Franklin D. Roosevelt had won Eleanor's heart. After they got married, Eleanor had 5 kids who kept her hands pretty full. During this time, Eleanor somehow managed to work for the American Red Cross During World War I
Middle Life
After Eleanor’s husband suffered from polio in 1921, Eleanor helped Franklin with his political career. Soon, Eleanor got invited to the Olympics to ride a bobsled, and rode in an airplane. After a while, Franklin D. Roosevelt got elected president in 1933. This was a huge step in the process of becoming an independent woman for Eleanor. She showed America that a first lady could take a part in helping relieve Great Depression. At 48, Eleanor had gone from a shy girl to an outgoing woman, and could easily prove it. She had conferences and gave her opinion on human rights. Eleanor helped with children’s causes and wrote a news column, “My Day”. She even had a book called This is My Story. Eleanor helped the poor, made a stand on racial discrimination, and traveled to visit U.S soldiers. But, even though Eleanor was loved by most, others did not like her. They thought she shouldn’t be so involved, because she was just a first lady. Even so, most people agreed she was an outstanding citizen, and is now remembered as a hero.
After the White House
After Franklin Roosevelt’s death, Eleanor thought she was done with the public. She wasn’t even close. Eleanor was a delegate to the United Nations General Assembly through 1945-1953. She was a chair of the UN’s Human Rights Commission and helped write the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, one of her greatest achievements. Outside of political work, Eleanor wrote many books including This is My Story, This I Remember, On My Own, and Autobiography. She returned to the public when President John F. Kennedy elected her as a delegate to the United Nations.
Eleanor Died of Cancer on November 7, 1962.
Fun Facts
1. Eleanor Roosevelt's husband, Franklin D. Roosevelt, was a 2nd cousin of hers.
2. When Eleanor's dearly loved father died, to most people's surprise, all she said was; I just wanted to see him again.
3. Eleanor had a miscarriage. This boy was going to be Franklin Jr., but he could not survive. Eleanor later named one of her other sons this.
4. Eleanor loved being disgraced, because it helped her add more to her speeches.