How Did Eleanor Roosevelt Impact Society

This book is about a woman who forever changed the course of women's role in American history. Eleanor Roosevelt was an extremely important figure in the history of the United States, especially during the twentieth century. The way the author uses the book to help the reader to feel included in Eleanor's life, makes the reader feel as if he knows Mrs. Roosevelt.

There were many problems in society that no one knew of until Eleanor Roosevelt brought them to light. “It’s easy to stand with the crowd. It takes courage to stand alone.” Mahatma Gandhi said. Eleanor decided to do what was right and help people instead of going along with what other people thought. Her rough childhood pushed her to help people that were oppressed. Eleanor especially knew what it was like to be ignored.

Eleanor Roosevelt was very influential in the policies of the New Deal, and also spoke very openly in support of civil rights and women’s rights. She worked to expand the amount of women in the Roosevelt administration and said that women should still be able to have jobs even if their husbands were employed. She supported the Southern Tenant Farmer’s Union and promoted the inclusion of blacks in the government. Eleanor visited migrant camps, coal mines, and the homes of sharecroppers. She also founded many programs to help people who were affected by the Great Depression.

Not only is she a role model to women, but to people who treat others equally. As women’s dilemmas, children treatment, and human rights have alleviated over the past five and a half decades, Roosevelt has not only made America great again, but the

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962), one of the most admired women in American history, acted as first lady from 1933 until 1945, longer than any other presidential spouse, and put that position on the nation’s political map. Yet, ironically, Eleanor did not want the job because she thought it would hamper her own self-development as an independent person. Through her own path-breaking efforts she transformed her role from official hostess to important spokesperson for her husband’s administration. In the process she became a role model for millions of Americans who applauded her activism on behalf of social causes.

For years in the United States of America, women have been battling for their rights. In the early years when the United States were colonies, under the English common law, “By marriage, the husband and wife are one person in the law. The very being and legal existence of the woman is suspended during the marriage, or at least is incorporated into that of her husband under whose wing and protection she performs everything,” (History of Women’s Rights in America). Now in present day America, Hilary Clinton gets the presidential nomination for the Democratic party and becoming the first women to lead a majority party, however she lost the election. Where the United States is today, America would not be like it is now without the leader of the free world, the president. Comparing both President Wilson and Ford, how they help women’s rights, what they accomplished, and how Congress had an impact.

What can women bring to the table that men can’t? The world may seem to be run by men, but three women caught the eye of many people. Esther De Berdt Reed was a women who took matters into her own hands by creating a fund for the soldiers in the war. Even though she did not live a long life, she changed how people viewed women. Deborah Sampson fooled the men standing right next to her. She fought with her fellow brothers against the British and without them even knowing she was a woman. Though Abigail Adams did not physically do anything for the women of America, she used her her pen and paper to explain how she really felt about the titles people give women. Alongside her was her husband John

Eleanor Roosevelts was a key figure on the women’s work force movement. Eleanor Roosevelt put pressure on her husband’s administration to have more women in the workforce (Scharf). Eleanor Roosevelt became aware of the barriers women faced while working with other women on other social justice issues. Eleanor Roosevelt worked tirelessly to make women feel equal in the workplace (Scharf). Without Eleanor Roosevelt 's intervention it would have been harder for women to find a work place (Scharf). Eleanor dedicated her life to improving the work force for women.

Eleanor was quickly changing the role of the first lady, even through her activeness in politics. She was a strong advocate for many groups such as women, children, minorities and the poor. As the First Lady, she was doing things that had never been done before, like holding her own press conferences. She also tried to help women get jobs by asking all women reporters to come to her press conferences. In doing this she hoped that editors would hire more women (Morey, 46-47). She became very comfortable with public speaking and gave more press conferences than her husband. She also gave many lectures over the years, and also had her own radio program. Eleanor was very active with the

As one of the most well known first ladies, Eleanor Roosevelt, also took part of a movement. She believed that anyone male or female should receive quality education. Over all she advocated equal rights. So many was against the thought, but she stood firm in her dream that all will one day have a chance. Eleanor stated “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

An influential first lady, civil rights activist, feminist and writer, Eleanor Roosevelt was born Anna Eleanor Roosevelt on October 11, 1884 in New York City and died November 7, 1962. Eleanor was born to Anna Hall and Elliot Roosevelt, who is the little brother of future President, Theodore Roosevelt. Eleanor was raised by her grandmother, Mary Livingston Ludlow, after the premature death of her parents. Eleanor then moved to England where she attended a private school, there she had a feminist teacher, Marie Souvestre who taught and encouraged the learning in independent thinking in young women. At age 17, Eleanor returned back home in 1902 where she was presented in a debutante ball (her “coming-out” party that established when a women

“Although she had worked in the National Consumers League before she was married; which promoted the rights of women; “after World War I, Eleanor Roosevelt realized the power and influence she obtained as First Lady of the United States and desired to help those who were helpless. She worked with the International Congress of Working Women and the Women’s International League of Peace and Freedom; which promoted the end to poverty and war. The friendships made through these societies not only shaped her understanding of the importance and equality of all people, but dramatically changed her life forever.” She was fully committed to American politics and human rights and worked with women rights groups around the nation for women to become involved and to be part of the New Deal. “Eleanor Roosevelt encouraged women to be part of the union, limited the hours and employer forced a woman to work, and fought for the rights for women to vote.” She continuously encouraged women to stand up for their rights and stated of their capability to do the work of that men could accomplish; like joining the military. Even after the end of the White House Eleanor continued to promote women’s equality and believed that women “had special qualities that made the peacemakers and mothers, but also believed these qualities made them fine

As a young child, Roosevelt was very timid and was never interested in politics. Her mom referred to her as the “ugly duckling” and told her that “You have no looks, so see to it that you have manners.” (Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery) During this time period, women and children stayed home and did the chores while the men would work. About five years later, Roosevelt entered a school in England where she was “draw[n] out of her shell” (biography.com) Years later, she became involved in politics and helped in many charities that supported African American and world issues.

However, the NWTUL was the most successful and renowned organization of that time. This organization was not only for the benefit of women in the working class, it also helped to abolish the serious issue of child labor. One of the most important things that the NWTUL had one is emerging as the main meeting place for reform-minded women who took an interest in labor issues, and it was through this organization that many of these women began to grow strong and important political relationships. Even the first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, became a helpful member of the organization in 1922, strengthening her ties to influential people such as Rose Schneiderman and Margaret Dreier Robins. Although the NWTUL was close in relationship to the White House during the Roosevelt years, the NWTUL’s purpose grew increasingly irrelevant once many labor unions began to allow women to join on a widespread basis. Eleanor Roosevelt and few others remained supportive of the League until the end, even when the NWTUL was forced to disband in 1950 due to diminished funds and

Women have found power in a variety of ways though out history in their struggle towards justice and equality. Though personal power can take many forms this paper will primarily focus on power found through gender solidarity, class issues, race or sexuality. I intend to examine the ways in which three different women, of different races and times in history, were able to find such power resulting in a positive change to either their own lives or the lives of others. Those women are: Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Eleanor Roosevelt and Melba Beals.