“I could not, at any age, be content to take my place by the fireside and simply look on. Life

was meant to be lived. Curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason,

turn his back on life.”

1884-1962

Eleanor as a

teenager

Eleanor

and her brother

• Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was born on October 11, 1884

• Granddaughter of Teddy Roosevelt• Always felt out of place in her affluent

family• “Found herself” when she attended

Allenswood in England

• Couple remained close despite overbearing nature of Franklin’s mother, Sara

• Had six children together– Five who lived past infancy

• Fifth cousins

• Married on March 15, 1905

• Learned about the inner workings of the government – Became the first woman to speak in front

of a national convention, to write a syndicated column, to earn money as a lecturer, to be a radio commentator, and to hold regular press conferences

• Fought for the suffragette movement

• After her husband developed Polio, she became very involved in his political career

• Franklin became the 32nd president in 1932

• Eleanor reinvented the role of First Lady

• The American people became very aware of their first lady and her ideas– Used the media

unlike any woman before her

– Traveled frequently– Was a very generous

hostess• Eleanor made herself available to the people and used her resources to their full potential

“OF COURSE I KNOW—IT’S MRS. ROOSEVELT”

• Eleanor supported many causes including:– Anti-lynching

movements– Minority housing– The Women’s Trade

Union League• After her husband’s

death, in 1945, Eleanor became a strong supporter of Democratic Party leader, Adlai Stevenson

• Started her own syndicated newspaper column, “My Day”

• Named a member of the United Nations in 1946

• Helped draft the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights

surpassed expectations

broke through social barriers

brought about significant changes in the world

was and still is an inspiration

instead of hating anyone, she defended those she loved