American Biographies ELEANOR ROOSEVELT Robin S Doak Heinemann LIBRARY Chicago Illinois
Contents Most Admired Woman Young Eleanor Tragedy and Triumph The First Lady Eleanor and the War First Lady of the World A Legacy of Hope and Action Timeline Family Tree Glossary Find Out More Index
Most Admired Woman Eleanor Roosevelt first stepped into the world spotlight in 1932 as the wife of newly elected president Franklin Delano Roosevelt But the new First Lady quickly showed that she was an important leader in her own right She used her husband’s position and later her own fame to champion rights for those who had no voice and to fight for peace and equality around the world She willingly risked opposition from those Americans who felt that a First Lady should simply dress nicely and entertain at White House parties Eleanor spoke out for the rights of African Americans workers women and other groups During World War II she became a symbol of the American woman Today nearly five decades after her death Eleanor is considered one of the most important female figures of the 20th century Eleanor led by example showing what people could do when they acted to make the world a better place for everyone She once said I have no illusions that anyone can change the world in a short time Yet I do believe that even a few people who want to understand to help and to do the right thing for the grea numbers of people instead of for the few can help Did you know During her lifetime Eleanor Roosevelt was recognized in polls as the most admired woman in the world 11 times in a row
