Early Life Of Eleanor Roosevelt And Her Grand Achievements As The First Lady

No presidential wife served a longer period than Eleanor Roosevelt did as First Lady. She served a total of twelve years, one month, one week, and one day. Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was born October 11, 1884 in New York City, New York. Eleanor had a broken childhood due to his dads, Elliott Roosevelts alcoholism and narcotic addiction as a result of a vaguely described “nervous sickness” first manifested as a young adult. Between 1890 and 1891 during Elliott’s third overseas trip this time with his wife and two children at the time his family committed him to an asylum in France. A year later his brother Theodore committed him to the Keeley Center in Dwight, Illinois as an effort to treat his alcohol addiction.

Eleanor’s mother's sudden death of diphtheria at only 29 years old, was a shock to her family and circle of friends due to her seemingly excellent health. In just a period of two years Eleanor Roosevelt's entire sense of family was decimated. Her mother died when she was only eight years old, her four-year brother died the following year. Her father died the year after that. The family of five was reduced to two in just two years. She was left orphaned by the age of nine and ten months. Eleanor and her remaining sibling, a second brother became the ward of her maternal grandmother who lived in the Hudson River Valley.

She was the oldest of four children, two brothers, one illegitimate half- brother. Before her father’s death he had impressed on her the need to look after her brother. Eleanor cared for him for the rest of his life. She wrote him daily while he was at boarding school. He first obtained her permission when he wished to dissolve his first marriage. However, despite his degree Harvard degree and superior intelligence he also fell way into alcoholism. At the end of the day her brother lived in a small discreet home, on the property of the president and first lady and the white house, where his funeral in 1941 was held. Eleanor remained close to his four daughters and two sons.

Eleanor Roosevelt's paternal line descended from a number of early settlers of New York who emigrated from Holland. She was Dutch, English, and Irish. Her paternal grandfather was a prominent New York philanthropist who helped found the New York Orthopedic Hospital and the American Museum of Natural History. Her paternal grandmother belonged to a Georgia family that had held many prominent civic and military positions in the colonial, Revolutionary and post- revolutionary eras. Her grandmother died eight months before she was born. Eleanor was five feet. Eleven inches in height; she had dark blonde hair and blue eyes. Among the First Ladies whose physical height is known Eleanor Roosevelt and Michelle Obama are believed to be the tallest.

Before marriage Eleanor became active in the social reform movement of the Progressive era. Eleanor visited workers in their overcrowded, unsanitary tenement apartments, making note of the workload, the physical toll on the workers, the sanitary and safety conditions of the rooms where they lived and worked. “She also helped to create and disseminate publicity in the form of open letters and newspapers” (National First Ladies’ Library). Eleanor got married at the age of 20 on March 17 1905 to Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) who became the 32nd president of the United States.

Eleanor had six kids, one daughter and 5 sons. Following the death of her third child Franklin Roosevelt Jr. When he was less than a year old the parents decided to give their fifth child and third born son the same name upon his birth.

Under the Woodrow Wilson Administration FDR was appointed Assistant Navy Secretary. Eleanor fulfilled the social obligations then incumbent upon officials’ spouses. She was then known as the “Little Cabinet” wife. As a cabinet spouse Eleanor assumed several volunteer jobs in Washington D.C. working for two private aid organizations which assumed a quasi- government role.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt turned down Eleanor’s offer of divorce, he further promised that he would end his relationship with Mercer. About three decades later without Eleanor's knowledge FDR resumed his friendship with Lucy Mercer. At the time she was the widow of Winthrop Rutherford. However it is not known if the relationship was again physically intimate or not.

Eleanor was an American politician, diplomat and activist who later served as a United Stated spokeswoman. Eleanor transformed the role of the First Lady using her position as a platform for her social activism. After the war she became the first U.S delegate to the United Nations and chaired the committee which drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. She also made a huge contribution in the advancement of Women’s rights and racial equality.

In 1917 Eleanor when the United States entered World War 1, worked with American affiliate of the Red Cross. Eleanor Roosevelt was also the first lady to write a daily newspaper column. Eleanor also played a key role in the formation of National Youth administration. With this she provided work and education for Americans between the ages of 16 and 25. The National Youth Administration (NYA) operated from 1935 to 1943. They helped over 4.5 million American youths find jobs.

She was also a leading activist for the rights of women and African Americans. She broke with precedent by inviting hundreds of African Americans guests to the White House. She was one of the only voices in the white house who insisted that’s benefits be equally extended to Americans of all races. Eleanor passed away November 7, 1962 at the age of 78 years and 27 days. Her burial took place in Hyde Park, New York.

I personally believe that everything Eleanor Roosevelt, full name Anna Eleanor Roosevelt did many things to help other despite everything she went through at such a young age. Despite her losing both of her parents by the age of nine and having to look after her brother. She didn’t get the full experience of being a little kid, she didn’t enjoy her childhood. However, she still managed to get her life together and help others in need. Everything she did or she planned on doing were all to get a positive outcome. Even after being cheater on she still gave FDR a chance, after being hurt like that. Thanks to her speaking up for women and African Americans, we are here today. We need more people like her today. People that aren't afraid to speak up for themselves.