Who was First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt? (Famous Americans Series)

In episode 7 of "Check This Out!" hosted by Amy Contreras and Cece, listeners are introduced to Eleanor Roosevelt, a transformative figure in American history known for her activism, philanthropy, and redefinition of the role of First Lady. Listen in to learn more about her life, including her contributions during the Great Depression and World War II, her advocacy for civil rights, and her efforts to advance women's rights.

We dive into Eleanor's background, her education, and her early experiences. You'll learn about her marriage to Franklin D. Roosevelt, her initial reluctance to fit into the traditional role of a political wife, and her eventual emergence as a significant political force in her own right.

As always, Amy and Cece highlight three key facts about Eleanor Roosevelt's legacy that you can check out further on your own! Make sure to listen at the end for a fun poem celebrating Eleanor's life and achievements. Tune in to discover the remarkable story of a woman who was truly a "First Lady of the World."

Transcript

Cece: Welcome to “Check this out!” A podcast series for kids

Amy: (and their grownups) where we explore interesting people, places, and ponderings that shape the world around us.   My name is Amy Contreras and I’m Cece! Welcome to episode 7 of Check this out!  If you haven’t already, hit the subscribe button so you can be the first to get new episodes!  

In today’s episode we are going to learn about a famous American named Eleanor Roosevelt.  She is most well known for being a former first lady and was married to 32nd president Franklin D Roosevelt.  Now you may be thinking, Amy & Cece why are we talking about Eleanor Roosevelet before talking about her husband president roosevelt as a famous american?? 

CC Thats a great question! 

Well… Eleanor Roosevelet was a truly incredible lady who made long lasting impacts on the world through her activism, advocacy of equal rights, philanthropic work, and social reform work.  She was an author, humanitarian, and well respected feminist who advocated for rights of others throughout her public career.  She evolved what it means to be a first lady of the United States. she played a key role in leading the nation through two national crises, the Great Depression and World War II. Through her political activism and post-war diplomacy, she played a key role in the development of civil and human rights for all people.

Plus, we are going to be doing a series of episodes on US presidents around the Presidents day holiday in February.  And Eleanor Roosevelt deserves her own moment in the spotlight separate from Franklin D Roosevelt’s contributions.  

Cece Check this out! 

I just used a bunch of fancy words all in a row you may not recognize. Philanthropic, Humanitarian, and Feminist. Let’s talk about what those mean.  Philanthropic is a fancy word for charity or community service. It is about seeking to promote the welfare of others, especially by donating money.  Philanthropic work can be things like feeding the poor, or giving money to charities.  

A humanitarian is someone who helps people in need, and works to improve the lives of others. Humanitarian work can happen in places like  hospitals, schools, etc. 

Feminist is someone who supports feminism which is very simply that everyone should be treated equally, regardless of their gender. Feminism means that everyone deserves the same opportunities and it means that girls are just as valuable as boys.

Cece: I learned something new today 

Now that we know what philanthropic, humanitarian, and feminist means let’s get back to Eleanor Roosevelt! 

Cece: I’m excited 

What do you know about Eleanor Roosevelt?  Do you know about the work she did as a first lady and after? Have you ever heard a quote by Eleanor Roosevelt? If you don't know much that is ok! That is why we are here today.  

CC Listeners, keep your ears open 

Amy: Because at the end of the episode we will share 3 facts that you can continue to check out on your own. Keep your ears open and see if you can guess which facts we will highlight at the end.  

Eleanor Roosevelt was born in 1884.  She was born into a wealthy New York family, and was influenced by her family’s philanthropic efforts and focus on community service.  Sadly she experienced tragedy at an early age losing a brother and both parents before she turned 10.  She was raised by relatives.  As a child and young woman Eleanor Roosevelt was described as having a serious personality.  Eleanor Roosevelt was fortunate to gain access to an excellent education and had private tutors until she was 15 when she went to london to attend boarding school for 3 years.  She loved boarding school and learning more.  She returned to new york in 1902.  

Cece: Check this out! 

Here is a fun fact, did you know that Eleanor is actually her middle name?  Her full name is Anna Eleanor Roosevelt!   If you’re wondering, Eleanor Roosevelt was born Eleanor Roosevelet, she didn’t have to change her last name when she married her husband. That is because her husband, Franklin D Roosevelt or FDR was a distant cousin of hers (her fifth cousin once removed to be exact).  They married in 1905 and had 6 children together.

Someone famous walked Eleanor Roosevelet down the aisle when she married FDR.  Let’s see if you can guess! Was it 

1. John F Kennedy 
2. Teddy Roosevelt 
3.  Her dad 

Cece If you guessed B you’re right! 

Eleanor’s uncle, Theodore Roosevelt, walked her down the aisle when she married FDR in 1905. He was president at the time.  Remember her dad died when she was a child. 

As FDR began his political career Eleanor Roosevelet initially did what most political wifes did.  She attended parties and made social calls to other wives of politicians.  This role bored her and didn’t challenge her intellectually.  

Cece that does sound boring 

When the US became involved in WW1 in April of 1917 Eleanor was able to change how she spent her days. She got to dive into volunteer work- which she was passionate about. She visited wounded soldiers and worked at both the Navy–Marine Corps Relief Society and in a Red Cross canteen.  She loved volunteer work and thrived in these settings.  

If you’ve been listening to our podcast you’ve heard us talk a little about World War 1 in the episode on Amelia Earhart.  World War 1 occurred from 1914-1918 but the United States didn’t enter WW1 until 1917.  Remember this is also known as the Great War and involved over 30 countries!  

A couple years after WW1, in 1920,  Eleanor’s husband, FDR ran for and lost the Vice President of the US.   He then became sick with Polio in 1921 and this sparked her deeper involvement in his political career.  

Check this out! 

Do you know what polio is? Polio is an illness caused by a virus that affects nerves in the spinal cord or brain stem. Polio can lead to a person being unable to move certain limbs, also called paralysis. Vaccinations have all but gotten rid of polio around the world.  President Roosevelet got it and lost the use of his legs as a result of paralysis from polio.   

The combination of FDR’s VP Loss and sickness with polio prompted Eleanor to get more interested and involved in politics. A few examples include; 

• She participated in the League of Women Voters and the Women’s Trade Union League. 
• Eleanor became the head of the Women’s Division of the Democratic National Committee

Keep in mind, white women earned the right to vote in the United States in 1920 with the 19th amendment.  So she was active in driving female political involvement.  

Cece: Wow 

When FDR eventually became president in 1933 Eleanor redefined the role of first lady.  Keep in mind, her husband became president during the midst of the great depression, so the nation was in a challenging time.  

Cece Check this out! 

Have you heard of the Great Depression?  The Great Depression was an economic crash that started in 1929 and went through the 1930s. It caused a lot of people to lose money, jobs and their homes.  For years people struggled to find work, which meant people couldn’t buy food or pay rent!  It led to major social and economic changes, such as the New Deal, which President Roosevelt implemented with Eleanors help.  

Before Eleanor Roosevelt the role of first lady meant playing the perfect hostess, and holding parties or social gatherings. Not getting involved in political priorities like the New Deal.   She took on causes and activities that first ladies had never before been involved in previously.  

Cece Here are just a few… 

• She instituted regular White House press conferences for women correspondents who had historically not been allowed in the white house press room
• She helped serve as FDR’s eyes and ears throughout the nation. She  traveled around the country on tours and reported back to him on conditions, programs and public opinion - specifically the New Deal program 
• Beginning in 1936 she wrote a daily syndicated newspaper column, “My Day.” which she continued until her death 
• She was a heavily sought after speaker at political meetings and at various institutions
• She showed particular interest in child welfare, housing reform, and equal rights for women and racial minorities.
• She lobbied her husband to appoint more women, successfully securing Frances Perkins as the first woman to head the Department of Labor

Cece What was your favorite fact? 

Eleanor Roosevelt wasn’t just FDR’s wife, she was his political ally and strategic partner.  This was a massive shift in the role that first women historically played.  Eleanor was the longest serving first lady, filling the role from 1933 to 1945.  

Beyond political influence and redefining the role of first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt was an ally for African Americans and an advocate for civil rights.  One of my favorite stories about her happened in1939.  

Eleanor Roosevelt was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).  This organization refused to let Marian Anderson, an African American opera singer, perform in Constitution Hall.  To protest this decision Roosevelt resigned her membership.  But she didn’t stop there, she arranged to hold the concert at the Lincoln Memorial instead. The event turned into a massive outdoor celebration with over 75,000 people in attendance. 

Cece: I love it! 

I have to tell you one more story because it is so cool.  As she was traveling around the country on her tours for FDR  she attended a meeting in Alabama.  The local officials in Alabama insisted that seating at a public meeting be segregated by race.  Eleanor didn’t like that at all, so she carried a folding chair to all meetings and carefully placed it in the center aisle to show she didn’t believe in segregation. 

She intentionally defended the rights of African Americans, the youth, and the poor.  She worked to bring alienated and marginalized groups into the political process.  Eleanor joined the NAACP in 1945 and was involved in the civil rights movement. 

Check this out!  

J. Edgar Hoover, the director of the FBI, considered Eleanor Roosevelt’s political views dangerous and believed she was a communist. She was monitored by the FBI and they had a huge file on her- over 4000 pages!! 

During WW2 (which happened from 1939-1945) she served as Assistant Director of Civilian Defense and she visited England and the South Pacific to create good will among the Allies and to boost the morale of U.S. servicemen overseas.

After her husband died in 1945 she continued to make waves in political and philanthropic arenas.  She wasn’t done just because FDR was gone!  Just to name a few 

• She remained actively involved in the democratic party until the end of her life in 1962
• She served as  a delegate to the United Nations (UN) and was chairman of the Commission on Human Rights. She also  helped draft the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 
• In 1961 President Kennedy appointed her to the Peace Corps Advisory Board and to the chairmanship of the President’s Commission on the Status of Women.

Cece She was a busy lady 

She wasn’t just a political force.  Elenaor Roosevelt was an author! She wrote many articles and books, including her newspaper My Day, which she published from 1935 to 1962. She wrote nearly 3,000 articles in newspapers and magazines, she had a monthly column in Women’s Home Companion and she authored 6 books

Cece was there anything she didn’t do? 

Eleanor Roosevelt died on November 7, 1962, and is buried alongside FDR in the Rose Garden of their estate at Hyde Park. 

After all we’ve learned about Eleanor see  if you can guess her nickname - was it 

A First lady of the world 

B Miss almost president 

C First Lady Ellie 

Cece If you guessed A you’re correct! 

President Harry Truman bestowed the nickname “first lady of the world” on her for her humanitarian efforts and political contributions through her life.  

At the start of the episode Cece told you to keep your ears open because we would give you 3 facts we encourage you to check out later.  I wonder if you can guess what they will be!  

1. Fact 1 Eleanor Roosevelt was the longest-serving First Lady of the United States, holding the position from 1933 to 1945. She changed what it meant to be a first lady- in her role she advocated for civil rights, social justice, and women's rights.  Learn more about her various positions, and their impact!  
2. Fact 2 After FDR’s presidency, Eleanor remained a prominent diplomat and activist, serving as a delegate to the United Nations General Assembly and playing a key role in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.  Check out what the UN does and what the Declaration of Human Rights entails.  
3. Fact 3 Eleanor Roosevelt was a prolific writer and speaker.  Check out articles from her My Day newspaper or read a book or quotes written by Eleanor.  

Did you guess any of the 3 facts correctly?  By now if you’ve been listening to our podcast you know we don’t just love investigating cool people, places, and ponderings from history.  

Cece: We also love to rhyme!  

Before we share the poem we made about Eleanor Roosevelt.  If you’re enjoying Check this out please subscribe and like our episodes!  Make sure to join us for episode 8 on Alexander Hamilton.  And now, here is the poem we wrote about eleanor roosevelt!  

From new york to the White House she stood, a beacon so bright,

Eleanor Roosevelt, champion of the fight.

With passion for people, she helped make the New Deal 

Her travels showed her what people needed so she could make the appeal 

FDR’s wife, an activist, and author, 

Nothing could slow her, nothing could stop her.  

She used her voice for the voiceless, raising money and hope

In times of great struggle, did she back down? Nope! 

This first lady was a force unto herself 

No one could put her away on a shelf 

She drove hard all her life and we remember her still 

Eleanor Roosevelt and her power of will 

At the “check this out” we know it can be hard to know if information you find online is accurate!  We use verified sources to build the stories you hear about. 

Cece Our sources for this week's episode are 

encyclopedia britannica, women’s history.org, history.com, the national park service, mayo clinic, the FDR library, and UC San Diego Eleanor Roosevelt College.  

Cece Thanks for listening 

https://www.nps.gov/elro/learn/historyculture/index.htm 

https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/eleanor-roosevelt 

https://www.history.com/topics/first-ladies/eleanor-roosevelt 

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Eleanor-Roosevelt 

https://www.fdrlibrary.org/er-biography 

https://roosevelt.ucsd.edu/about/about-eleanor.html#Civil-Rights 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/polio/symptoms-causes/syc-20376512