The definition of feminism is equality to both men and women in social, political, and economic enterprise. While feminism has taken on a bad connotation in the past, there have been a millions of women who have stood up for the cause specifically to be named equal. Eleanor Roosevelt is an excellent example of courage, strength, and exceptional mentality of feminism in American history. From a rough childhood to becoming the first First Lady to be directly involved with politics, Roosevelt demands that women’s rights around the world be heard.
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was born into high society and immense privilege, but also a very troubled family. Her mother belittled her constantly and died during Eleanor’s adolescent years from diphtheria. The disease also condemned Roosevelt’s brother shortly after. Her father, Elliott, constantly drank and was later confined to a sanitarium where he attempted suicide but died from a seizure. Eleanor’s other brother, Gracie, lived to become a genius. He attended Harvard and received a masters in Engineering. The youngest, Elliott Roosevelt Mann, was born from an affair involving Eleanor’s father and a servant, suffered from alcoholism like his father. Eleanor grew greatly depressed during her childhood from her great losses and suffering.
After the death of her mother, brother, and father, Eleanor lived with her Grandmother. Her childhood is said to be described as insecure, deprived of affection, and ultimately depressed. At age 14, Roosevelt described herself as an “ugly duckling,” but said one’s prospect in life should not be based upon physical beauty. If was in 1899 when Eleanor moved to London, England to a private school known as Allenswood Academy where she met her mentor, Marie Souvestre. Marie was a feminist educator that had a purpose to cultivate thinking in young women. Souvestre taught Eleanor how to become an independant woman by teaching Roosevelt how to speak french and then gain confidence. In the three years that Eleanor spent at Allenswood, she achieved the title as the captain of a Field Hockey team, learned social justice, and gender equality. In 1902, Eleanor’s family called her back home for a “coming-of-age” party.
Two years after returning from academy, Franklin Roosevelt proposed to Eleanor. Franklin being her fifth removed cousin. In the first ten years of marriage, they conceived six children. The first, FDR Jr., died during infancy which lead Eleanor to another dark period in her life. It was when World War One came around that she was able to leave her home and work in the war effort as a nurse and anything she was allowed. With Franklin working as Assistant Secretary of the Navy in Europe at the time, the Roosevelt family was extremely impacted by the heart-shattering stories of war.
When Franklin returned home, she soon found out of an affair between Franklin and his secretary, a trusted friend. She immediately offered him a divorce, but Franklin’s mother was the person who shot down the idea. Threatening to cut off financial support to Eleanor if she went through with a divorce. FDR was often reminded that no president had ever has a divorce before. In the fourteen year of marriage, Eleanor was once again a shattered women but decided that she had to come to trust and love her husband again.
In 1921, Franklin was stricken with polio. For many years Franklin left for rehabilitation for up to six months, Eleanor was left alone with the children. During this time, Eleanor was able to get involved with the Early Labor Movement and Tenement Reform. Then moved onto working for the League of Women’s Workers and the Women’s City Club of New York. She made new activist friends and supported women’s and children’s rights. Before her husband even became president, Eleanor created her own image in the public eye.
In 1933, the Roosevelts entered the White House. Eleanor was the first First Lady to become the “eyes and ears” for her husband/president and to hold press-conferences. She pushed Franklin into Civil Rights, Labor Rights, and women’s rights. Then traveled the world as a political figure and later helped develop the United Nations. She even wrote a newspaper column that was the third most popular in the nation at the time.
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was a feminist in her own way. She learned to respect herself and live through the hard times, then moved on to support the women’s and children’s rights movements. FDR died during his last presidency, the woman he had had an affair with laid with him while he passed. Eleanor was an excellent example of a strong woman that set the standards high in the White House, set forth and helped women’s and children’s movements, and taught women everywhere that you define yourself and not the man standing beside you. (“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” -- Eleanor Roosevelt)
Sources:
"Eleanor Roosevelt and the Women's Movement." N.p., n.d. Web.
"Eleanor Roosevelt: Feminist Icon." The Daily Beast. N.p., 2 Sept. 14. Web.
Comments
Excellent job!!