Eleanor Roosevelt: A True Global First Lady - Essay Example

? Eleanor Roosevelt: A True Global First Lady 7 October Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was born on October 11, 1884, daughter of Elliott Roosevelt and Anna Hall. Eleanor Roosevelt is commonly remembered as the wife of Franklin Delano Roosevelt (also known as FDR), but to those who know her more closely through her private and public life, she is more than the usual president’s wife in the background. Far from the socialite beauty that her mother was, Eleanor Roosevelt showed a more serious and social-interest active side. The essay explores important aspects and events of her life that affected her identity and achievements in life. Eleanor Roosevelt’s relationships with her parents and husband, as well as her education and socio-civic activities, helped her to become an independent and compassionate political activist for the underprivileged. Eleanor Roosevelt had contrasting kinds of relationship with her father and mother that shaped her independent and caring identity. Elliott Roosevelt had quite successful brothers, with whom he had differences with. Elliott, instead of establishing himself in any particular profession (Wills 80), became more of a drunkard though, and because of this, his older brothers eventually banished the former to Virginia because they thought being apart from his family would change him (Youngs 46). Despite his physical separation from his family, Elliott loved his daughter, Eleanor, so much that he sent her letters, and Eleanor loved him dearly in return (Youngs 45). Before he left for Virginia, he even painted a picture for her (Youngs 45). Elliott’s relationship with his daughter developed Eleanor’s strong sense of independence and compassion. For instance, in terms of independence, Elliott wanted his daughter to “love the outdoors as he did” (Youngs 48). The outdoors symbolizes freedom and independence. Furthermore, Elliott wanted his daughter to be as gentle as he was. He might have his limitations as a human being, but he sincerely wanted Eleanor to be a good person: “He reached into himself for what was best and sought to pass it on distilled and purified for Eleanor. [He] was a gentle man. He hoped his daughter would be tender too” (Youngs 48). As for Anna, Eleanor’s relationship with her mother had been strained, but their relationship, however different from her father’s, helped her to focus more on inward development than physical looks. Anna did not seem to like that Eleanor was her opposite in terms of looks and interests, and she even told her once: “You're so plain that you have really nothing to do except be good” (Wills 80). Anna’s stern treatment and criticism of her daughter might be one of the reasons that Eleanor shied away from the public limelight, even when married already to FDR. Nevertheless, Eleanor Roosevelt’s introvert nature might also have helped her develop herself more intellectually and socially, but in a more social-interest-oriented way. Eleanor Roosevelt bloomed as a student, where her school life and experiences improved her self-esteem and enhanced her independent personality. Eleanor studied at Allenwood, an exclusive-for-girls school near London. Marie Souvestre was the headmistress of Allenswood Academy, and she motivated Eleanor to become more active in school and civic duties. Youngs depicts Eleanor in her intellectual growth as she realized, that, in school, “she did not have to strain to win attention; she simply had to be herself” because in an academic environment, people were similar to her in interests and aspirations because they were “more interested in ideas than social conventions” (65). Souvestre helped Eleanor find her mission in life- to be of service to others. Eleanor excelled in school and participated in community activities. When Eleanor went back to New York in 1902, she volunteered at the Rivington Street Settlement House on the Lower East Side, where she served as one of the teachers of the immigrant poor’s children (Wills 81). Hence, her education emboldened a sense of public duty that became Eleanor’s lifelong calling. Eleanor had a cycle of ups and downs with her relationship with Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Before her marriage to FDR, Eleanor had been active in social and political activities and organizations. After her marriage, Eleanor feared for her lost independence, especially when her husband became a politician. Nevertheless, she became a dutiful wife, wherein she thought that she “[fit] pretty well into the pattern of a fairly conventional, quiet, young society matron” (Wills 81). During her marriage with FDR, their romance ended when she discovered that he was having an affair with Lucy Mercer, her secretary. The marriage survived, probably because FDR’s mother intervened, but FDR and Eleanor lived separate lives from them on though they remained married (Carlson 46). Despite their marital problems, when FDR had polio, Eleanor took care of him and supported her husband’s political career. She influenced her husband’s political decisions as she became his ears and eyes in what happened in their country. Eleanor became FDR’s political adviser and roaming ambassador, where she visited farms, factories, slum areas, and schools, among others, and reported what she witnessed to her husband (Carlson 46). She influenced her husband to do more for the poor, as well as the minority groups. Furthermore, Eleanor wrote a daily newspaper column, “My Day,” which 180 newspapers published. Her columns promoted gender and racial equality, among many other ideals. Thus, throughout the times FDR needed her the most as a confident and political ally, Eleanor was there for her husband. After FDR died, Eleanor became more active politically, but this time, internationally. President Harry S. Truman appointed her as a U.S. delegate for the United Nations (UN). In the UN, she became a rigorous advocate for world peace. Eleanor also travelled all over the world to help people in need. She further played a major role in drafting and supporting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which saw as her most important achievement. Because of all these efforts, Truman called her the “First Lady of the World.” Eleanor made both national and international impact even after the loss of her husband, and followed her calling of being of service to others. The essay recognizes the diverse contributions of Eleanor Roosevelt to her country and the world. It is analyzed that the characteristics that made her such an admired and respected woman are her empathy and independence. Her empathy allowed her to put herself in the place of the less privileged, thereby understanding what they experience and what they dream for. Eleanor’s independence further shows that any woman per se and any individual can be successful if they put their heart into it. Her independence further shone after discovering her husband’s affair. Other women might have fallen into depression, but Eleanor rose from the ashes of her marriage to become a more independent woman. The essay further believes that Roosevelt’s traits that Hillary R. Clinton most admired and tried to emulate are her independence and compassion. These women both endured unfaithful husbands, but they did not let these moments define them. If anything, they used these experiences to boost their independence and to carve a more proactive place in society. Clinton most likely emulated Eleanor Roosevelt’s strength of mind, character, and spirit. She pursued the values of integrity and public duty that Mrs. Roosevelt did in her time. Thus, Eleanor Roosevelt continues to inspire many women to be socially and politically conscious and active in modern times. Works Cited Carlson, Peter. “FDR's Loyal Mistress.” American History 45.5 (2010): 44-47. Print. Hagfeldt, Laura. “Eleanor Roosevelt.” Smithsonian 15.9 (1984): 16-18. Print. Wills, Chuck. “Eleanor Roosevelt First Lady of the World.” Biography (1.10 (1997): 80-86. Print. Youngs, J. William T. Eleanor Roosevelt: A Personal and Public Life, 2nd ed. New York: Longman, 2000. Print. Read More