Eleanor Roosevelt: Best First Lady
In this episode of Stuff You Should Know, the hosts explore Eleanor Roosevelt's transformation from an orphaned child born into privilege to one of history's most active First Ladies. The discussion covers her complicated marriage to Franklin Roosevelt, which evolved into a political partnership after his affair and polio diagnosis, as well as her relationships with journalist Lorena Hickok and others that shaped her personal life.
The episode examines Eleanor's evolution from someone who initially held the prejudices of her social class to a fierce advocate for civil rights, anti-lynching legislation, and Jewish refugees. Her innovations as First Lady—including press conferences, daily newspaper columns, and becoming the first to hold public office while her husband was president—redefined the role. The hosts also discuss her work on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and community development projects like Arthurdale, demonstrating her commitment to social justice throughout her life.
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1-Page Summary
Eleanor Roosevelt's Personal Life and Relationships
Early Life and Family Tragedy
Eleanor Roosevelt was born in 1884 as Anna Eleanor Roosevelt to Elliott Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt's brother, making her a Roosevelt by birth. Her childhood was marked by profound loss—her mother died of diphtheria when Eleanor was eight, and her alcoholic father died by suicide soon after. Orphaned by age ten, she was raised by her strict grandmother and became a surrogate mother to her surviving brother Hall. At fifteen, she attended Allenswood Academy in England, experiencing her first genuine education before being recalled for her debutante season.
Marriage and Partnership With Franklin
Eleanor married Franklin Roosevelt in 1905, with Franklin's mother Sarah exerting suffocating control over their household, even telling Eleanor's children that Sarah was their true mother. Nine years into the marriage, Eleanor discovered Franklin's affair with her secretary Lucy Mercer. They considered divorce but remained together for political ambitions and under threat of financial exclusion. When Franklin contracted polio three years later, Eleanor became his caretaker, political strategist, and public representative. Their marriage evolved into a collaborative partnership that enabled Franklin's continued political career despite his disability.
Romantic Relationships Beyond Marriage
Eleanor's emotional life extended beyond her marriage. In 1933, she embarked on a relationship with AP journalist Lorena Hickok, evidenced by intimate letters that most historians now agree indicate a romantic affair. Eleanor also formed close friendships with several women in the gay community, including Esther Everett Lape, Elizabeth Fisher Reed, and Marian Dickerman and Nancy Cook, with whom she co-founded Val-Kill Industries. Her relationship with bodyguard Earl Miller likely also turned romantic, and historians credit Miller with building her confidence and helping her overcome her fear of the media, empowering her to become an effective public figure.
Civil Rights and Social Activism
From Prejudice to Advocacy
Eleanor's early letters reveal she initially adopted the prejudices of her class, including antisemitism and disparaging views of Black servants. However, her life is remarkable for her dramatic transformation—she evolved from these beginnings to lobbying for Jewish refugees fleeing the Holocaust and tirelessly promoting civil rights for Black Americans. Her willingness to openly change deeply held beliefs demonstrates lifelong moral growth.
Civil Rights Leadership Before the Movement
Eleanor joined the NAACP in 1934, becoming a vocal advocate for anti-lynching legislation and denouncing segregation long before the formal Civil Rights Movement. In 1939, she resigned from the Daughters of the American Revolution after they refused to let Marian Anderson perform at Constitution Hall, then helped organize Anderson's historic concert at the Lincoln Memorial, which drew 75,000 people. At the Southern Conference for Human Welfare in Birmingham, she defied segregation laws by sitting in the center aisle between white and Black sections. During World War II, Eleanor publicly opposed Japanese American internment, visiting camps and advocating for their closure despite contradicting her husband's policies. Her activism made her a target—the KKK placed a $25,000 bounty on her head in the 1950s, but she remained steadfast despite constant death threats.
First Lady Innovations and Public Service
Media Engagement and Communication
Eleanor Roosevelt transformed the role of First Lady through unprecedented media engagement. She was the first First Lady to hold press conferences, opening them exclusively to female reporters. Beginning in 1935, she wrote a daily newspaper column "My Day" and later an advice column "If You Ask Me" for Ladies Home Journal, along with op-eds, memoirs, and other nonfiction books. Despite self-consciousness about her appearance and voice, she hosted radio shows and appeared on NBC and PBS programs, including "Prospects of Mankind," where she interviewed activists and intellectuals.
Tireless Travel and Public Office
Eleanor earned the Secret Service codename "Rover" and nickname "Eleanor Everywhere" for her relentless travel. Between 1923 and 1940, she covered over 300,000 miles, visiting every state except South Dakota. In her first year as First Lady alone, she logged 40,000 miles, often dismissing her Secret Service detail to drive herself. During World War II, she became assistant director of civilian defense—the first First Lady to hold public office while her husband was president—though she resigned after one year amid criticism to protect the agency's integrity.
United Nations Work
After Franklin's death, Eleanor joined the U.S. delegation to the United Nations from 1945 to 1952. Though male colleagues attempted to sideline her by assigning her to Committee Three, she defied expectations by persuading the UN General Assembly to oppose forced refugee repatriation. As the primary author of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, she cemented her legacy as a champion of human rights, despite frustration over the declaration's lack of enforcement power.
Community Development and Humanitarian Projects
Eleanor's commitment to community uplift manifested in hands-on projects. She co-founded Val-Kill Industries, a nonprofit furniture factory that provided quality jobs and fair wages, where she later made her residence after Franklin's death. Moved by the poverty of coal miners during the Great Depression, she initiated the Arthurdale project in West Virginia in 1933—a planned community providing modern amenities and affordable housing. Between 1935 and 1944, she attended every high school graduation at Arthurdale, helping graduates find employment. She continued visiting until 1960, just two years before her death, purchasing and delivering Christmas gifts for the children.
Eleanor's volunteerism began early, teaching at the Rivington Street Settlement House and joining the National Consumers League. During World War I, she volunteered with the Red Cross and toured European war hospitals. These sustained efforts throughout her life cemented her reputation as a tireless advocate for labor rights, community empowerment, and social justice.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While Eleanor Roosevelt's transformation from holding prejudiced views to becoming a civil rights advocate is notable, her early prejudices and slow evolution may have caused harm or delayed progress for marginalized groups during her formative years.
- Eleanor's advocacy for civil rights and opposition to Japanese American internment, though courageous, did not always translate into direct policy changes, and she was sometimes limited by her husband's administration and broader political realities.
- Despite her groundbreaking media engagement as First Lady, some critics argue that her unprecedented public presence sometimes overshadowed or conflicted with the traditional, less political expectations of the role, drawing criticism from contemporaries.
- Eleanor's personal relationships outside her marriage, while now often viewed as evidence of her independence, were controversial in her time and could be seen as complicating her public image or distracting from her political work.
- Projects like Arthurdale, while well-intentioned, faced criticism for being expensive, paternalistic, and ultimately unsustainable, with some arguing that they did not address the root causes of poverty or inequality.
- Val-Kill Industries, though innovative, struggled financially and was not a long-term economic success, raising questions about the effectiveness of such philanthropic ventures.
- Eleanor's resignation from her public office role during World War II, though intended to protect the agency's integrity, could be interpreted as a retreat in the face of criticism rather than a demonstration of resilience.
- Her advocacy for women's rights, while significant, was sometimes limited by the prevailing attitudes of her era, and she did not always support more radical or intersectional feminist positions.
Actionables
- You can challenge your own biases by keeping a private journal where you write down any assumptions or stereotypes you notice in your daily thoughts or conversations, then research and record counterexamples or stories that broaden your perspective.
- A practical way to support marginalized voices is to set a recurring reminder to read, share, or comment on articles, columns, or social media posts created by people from underrepresented communities, helping amplify their work and perspectives.
- You can build confidence and communication skills by recording short daily audio messages to yourself about issues you care about, then listening back to notice your tone and clarity, gradually sharing select recordings with a trusted friend for feedback.
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Eleanor Roosevelt's Personal Life and Relationships
Eleanor's Roosevelt Family Roots and Childhood Trauma Shaped Her Character
Eleanor Roosevelt is born Anna Eleanor Roosevelt in 1884 to Elliott Roosevelt, the brother of Theodore Roosevelt, making her a Roosevelt by birth, not solely by marriage. Contrary to the common assumption, her family ties to the influential Roosevelt clan are longstanding and direct. Her early years are marked by deep personal tragedy. Her mother, Anna, dies of diphtheria in 1892 when Eleanor is eight, and her alcoholic father, Elliott, dies by suicide from delirium tremens soon after. Orphaned by age ten, Eleanor and her brothers are raised by their strict grandmother. Her brother Elliott Jr. also dies young, leaving her as a devoted surrogate mother figure to her surviving brother Hall, a role she embraces with care and responsibility.
Growing up, Eleanor receives her early education at home, as was customary for the wealthy at the time. At age fifteen, her grandmother sends her to England, where she experiences her first genuine education at Allenswood Academy. After three years, her grandmother recalls her to New York for her debutante season, introducing her to elite society but also signaling an abrupt end to her formal schooling.
Eleanor's Marriage to Franklin Roosevelt in 1905 Evolved From Infidelity and Emotional Distance To a Pragmatic Partnership
In 1905, Eleanor marries Franklin Roosevelt. Franklin’s mother, Sarah Roosevelt, exerts enormous influence on their household. She not only controls the family’s finances but also arranges for their residences to be interconnected brownstones, allowing her constant access and oversight—an arrangement that often feels suffocating for Eleanor. Sarah's interference goes as far as telling Eleanor’s children that she, Sarah, is their true mother, exacerbating family tensions and sometimes creating distance between Eleanor and her children.
About nine years into the marriage, Eleanor discovers Franklin’s multi-year affair with her secretary, Lucy Mercer, through love letters. The couple considers divorce, but ultimately remain together, likely for political ambitions and under threat of financial exclusion by Sarah. The experience is painful, but, as was common in their era, they do not separate, partly for public image and continued mutual opportunities.
Three years later, Franklin contracts polio, leaving him partially paralyzed. Eleanor becomes not just his caretaker but also his closest political strategist and representative. She acts as his surrogate at public events, helps craft speeches, and guides his political decisions, especially during his run for vice president in 1920. Their union becomes a collaborative partnership, with Eleanor’s support allowing Franklin’s continued public and political life despite his disability.
Eleanor's Romantic Relationships With Women Reflect Her Open-Minded Approach
Eleanor’s emotional life is as complex as her public one. In 1933, shortly after Franklin’s first inauguration, Eleanor embarks on a road trip to New England and Quebec with AP journalist Lorena Hickok. Their relationship, evidenced by intimate letters—such as Hickok describing the feeling of the "soft spot just northeast of the corner of your mouth against my lips"—points to a romantic and physical affair. Most historians now agree that Eleanor and Hickok’s deep bond was indeed romantic.
Eleanor’s ...
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Eleanor Roosevelt's Personal Life and Relationships
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While Eleanor Roosevelt was indeed born a Roosevelt, her marriage to Franklin Roosevelt (a distant cousin) still played a significant role in her access to political power and public influence, which may have overshadowed her independent family legacy.
- The extent to which Eleanor’s childhood trauma directly shaped her later character and activism is subject to interpretation; some historians argue that her privileged upbringing and social connections were equally influential.
- The narrative of Eleanor as a surrogate mother to Hall may overstate her role, as Hall was also cared for by extended family and staff.
- The claim that Allenswood Academy was her "first genuine formal education" may overlook the value of her earlier home education, which was typical for her social class.
- The depiction of Sarah Roosevelt as a controlling matriarch is based on family accounts and may not fully account for the complexities of their relationship or Sarah’s motivations.
- While Franklin’s affair with Lucy Mercer is well-documented, the assertion that Eleanor and Franklin remained married solely for political and financial reasons may oversimplify their personal motivations and the social norms of their era.
- The characterization of Eleanor as Franklin’s "closest political strategist" may underplay the roles of other advisors and Franklin’s own political acumen.
- The romantic nature of Eleanor’s relationship with Lorena Hickok, while supported by many historians, is still debated, as some scholars interpret their correspondence as intense friendship rather than a physical affair.
- The suggestion that Eleanor’s friendships ...
Actionables
- you can create a personal relationship map to identify and nurture supportive, empowering connections in your life, just as Eleanor built meaningful bonds beyond traditional norms
- Map out your current relationships, noting which ones encourage your growth, self-esteem, and authenticity. Set a goal to deepen at least one of these connections by reaching out regularly, sharing personal goals, or offering support, and seek out new friendships with people from diverse backgrounds or perspectives.
- a practical way to build resilience from adversity is to write a brief timeline of your own life’s challenges and identify how each experience shaped your strengths or values
- List significant hardships or losses you’ve faced, then next to each, jot down a skill, insight, or value you developed as a result. Use this as a reminder of your capacity to adapt and as a guide for facing future difficulties.
- you can experiment with collaborative decisio ...
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Civil Rights and Social Activism
Eleanor's Journey: From Prejudice to Racial Equality Advocate
Eleanor Roosevelt's early letters reveal that she was not interested in politics and was mostly following the social customs of her class, including adopting her mother-in-law's antisemitism and holding disparaging views of Black servants. She was initially a byproduct of her culture, unconcerned with issues beyond her immediate social sphere. She even showed early disdain for the suffrage movement. However, her life is notable for how dramatically she changed; she went from this background of prejudice to eventually lobbying for America's doors to open to Jewish refugees fleeing the Holocaust, and from disparaging Black servants to tirelessly promoting civil rights for Black Americans. Her willingness to openly change deeply held beliefs demonstrates lifelong growth and moral development, as she rose from the limitations of her upbringing to become a champion of marginalized groups.
Eleanor Joined the NAACP In 1934, Advocating For Anti-Lynching Laws and Ending Segregation Before the Civil Rights Movement
Eleanor Roosevelt joined the NAACP in 1934, signaling her early and public commitment to civil rights long before the formal Civil Rights Movement began. She was a vocal lobbyist for anti-lynching legislation and was among the first prominent Americans to denounce segregation. In 1939, she resigned from the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) after they refused to let Black singer Marian Anderson perform at Constitution Hall. This led to Roosevelt helping to organize a free, public concert for Anderson at the Lincoln Memorial on Easter Sunday 1939, which drew 75,000 people and became a pivotal moment in early civil rights history.
Roosevelt continued her activism by taking bold stances in highly segregated contexts. At the Southern Conference for Human Welfare in Birmingham, Alabama, she attended with Mary McLeod Bethune, a respected Black educator. Despite local laws mandating segregated seating, Roosevelt refused to comply, instead sitting with her chair in the center aisle—an act of clear defiance and a symbolic attempt to bridge divisions.
Eleanor Opposed Japanese American Internment During WWII, Publicly Disagreeing With FDR On Moral Grounds
During World War II ...
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Civil Rights and Social Activism
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a lineage-based organization for women descended from individuals involved in the American Revolution, known for promoting patriotism and historical preservation. In 1939, the DAR's refusal to allow Marian Anderson, a Black opera singer, to perform at Constitution Hall was rooted in racial segregation policies. This act highlighted systemic racism and discrimination in prominent American institutions. Eleanor Roosevelt's resignation in protest brought national attention to civil rights issues and challenged segregation norms.
- Marian Anderson was a world-renowned African American contralto singer. Her denied performance at Constitution Hall highlighted racial discrimination in the arts. The Lincoln Memorial concert became a symbol of peaceful protest against segregation. It helped galvanize public support for civil rights.
- The NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) was founded in 1909 to fight racial discrimination and promote civil rights for Black Americans. It used legal challenges, lobbying, and public education to combat segregation and disenfranchisement. The organization played a key role in landmark Supreme Court cases, such as Brown v. Board of Education, which ended school segregation. Its efforts helped lay the groundwork for the broader Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s.
- The Southern Conference for Human Welfare (SCHW) was founded in 1938 to address poverty, racial injustice, and labor issues in the South. It brought together activists, politicians, and intellectuals to promote social reform and racial equality. The SCHW was significant for challenging segregation and advocating for civil rights before the mainstream Civil Rights Movement. Its work laid groundwork for later activism by fostering interracial cooperation and public awareness.
- During the 1930s and 1940s, Birmingham, Alabama, enforced Jim Crow laws mandating racial segregation in public spaces like schools, transportation, and theaters. These laws required Black and white people to use separate facilities, often of unequal quality. Violating segregation rules could lead to arrest or violence. The laws aimed to maintain white supremacy and social control over Black residents.
- During World War II, the U.S. government forcibly relocated and imprisoned about 120,000 Japanese Americans in internment camps, citing national security concerns after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Most internees were American citizens who lost homes, businesses, and freedom without due process. The internment caused long-term economic, social, and psychological harm to the Japanese American community. It is now widely recognized as a grave injustice driven by racial prejudice rather than legitimate security needs.
- Eleanor Roosevelt was the wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and served as First Lady during his presidency. While they shared many political goals, Eleanor often held more progressive views, especially ...
Counterarguments
- While Eleanor Roosevelt’s evolution is notable, her early adoption of prejudiced views and slow initial engagement with civil rights issues reflect the limitations and privileges of her social class, which may have delayed progress for marginalized groups.
- Eleanor Roosevelt’s advocacy, though significant, often operated within the constraints of her position as First Lady and was sometimes limited to symbolic gestures rather than direct policy change.
- Despite her public opposition to Japanese American internment, Eleanor Roosevelt was unable to prevent or reverse the policy, and her influence on this issue was ultimately limited.
- Some historians argue that Eleanor Roosevelt’s civil rights activism, while courageous, was sometimes paternalistic in tone, reflecting the attitudes of her era rather than a fully modern understanding of equality.
- Eleanor Roosevelt’s resignation from the DAR and organization of the Marian Anderson concert, while important, did not directly dismantle in ...
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First Lady Innovations and Public Service
Eleanor Roosevelt transforms the role of First Lady through extensive media engagement, groundbreaking public service, and international diplomacy, leaving a legacy that reshapes expectations for women in public life.
Eleanor Redefined the First Lady Role Through Media and Public Engagement Firsts
Eleanor Roosevelt is the first First Lady to hold press conferences, which she notably opens exclusively to female reporters. Through this, she creates unprecedented opportunities for women journalists at a time when gender discrimination restricts their access to major newsrooms.
She Wrote Daily Newspaper and Advice Columns, Plus Numerous Op-eds and Books
Eleanor demonstrates her commitment to communication with the public by writing a daily newspaper column, "My Day," beginning in 1935, producing five columns weekly. She also authors a monthly advice column, "If You Ask Me," for Ladies Home Journal, starting in 1941. Beyond her columns, she is a prolific writer of op-eds, memoirs, an autobiography, and other nonfiction books, channeling her passion for writing into wide-ranging influence.
Nbc and Pbs Host Highlighting Social Issues
Roosevelt is unafraid to harness broadcast media, hosting radio shows with her children and appearing frequently on both radio and television. She leads several NBC programs and, later, the PBS show "Prospects of Mankind," where she interviews activists and intellectuals on pressing domestic and international issues. Despite her self-consciousness about her appearance and voice, she overcomes personal discomfort to leverage these platforms in service of causes she champions.
Eleanor Traveled Extensively As First Lady, Earning the Secret Service Codename "Rover" and Nickname "Eleanor Everywhere."
Eleanor Roosevelt is renowned for her relentless travel, earning the Secret Service codename "Rover" and the public nickname "Eleanor Everywhere." Between 1923 and 1940, she traverses over 300,000 miles and visits every state except South Dakota, checking on local projects and engaging with ordinary Americans to assess the country's wellbeing.
Her First Year as First Lady:
In just her first year as First Lady, Eleanor logs 40,000 miles in her Buick. She is famous for dismissing her Secret Service detail to drive herself across the country in her blue roadster, preferring direct interaction with the public over official protocol.
Eleanor Was the First First Lady to Hold Public Office While Her Husband Was President as Director of Civilian Defense During World War II
During World War II, Eleanor Roosevelt becomes assistant director of civilian defense—making her the first First Lady to hold public office while her husband is president. Her appointment sparks cri ...
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First Lady Innovations and Public Service
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Before Eleanor Roosevelt, the role of the First Lady was largely ceremonial and focused on hosting social events and supporting the president privately. First Ladies typically avoided public political engagement or media presence. Their influence was mostly behind the scenes, limited by societal expectations of women's roles. Eleanor transformed this by actively engaging in public policy and media.
- At the time, women journalists faced widespread exclusion from major newsrooms and press events. By holding press conferences only for female reporters, Eleanor Roosevelt created rare professional opportunities for them. This challenged prevailing gender norms and helped increase women's visibility in journalism. It also encouraged media outlets to take female reporters more seriously.
- Eleanor Roosevelt's "My Day" column reached millions daily, allowing her to directly influence public opinion and discuss social issues candidly. It was groundbreaking for a First Lady to communicate so openly and frequently with the American people. The advice column "If You Ask Me" further extended her reach, offering personal guidance that connected her to everyday concerns, especially of women. Both columns helped humanize her and made her a trusted voice beyond traditional political roles.
- NBC (National Broadcasting Company) was one of the first major American television and radio networks, playing a key role in shaping public opinion and culture through widespread broadcast reach. PBS (Public Broadcasting Service), established later in 1970, focused on educational and public interest programming, often addressing social issues and providing in-depth content not typically found on commercial networks. Both networks were influential platforms for public figures like Eleanor Roosevelt to engage with diverse audiences and promote social causes. Their programming helped raise awareness and foster dialogue on important domestic and international topics during the mid-20th century.
- The Secret Service assigns codenames to protectees for secure communication and identification. "Rover" suggests mobility and constant movement, reflecting Eleanor Roosevelt's extensive travel. Such codenames help agents coordinate discreetly during protection details. The nickname underscores her active, hands-on approach as First Lady.
- The assistant director of civilian defense during World War II helped coordinate efforts to protect the U.S. home front from enemy attacks and disasters. Responsibilities included organizing air raid drills, blackout procedures, and emergency services like firefighting and medical aid. The role also involved mobilizing volunteers and promoting public safety awareness. This position was crucial for maintaining civilian morale and preparedness during wartime.
- The United Nations Committee Three, officially the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, focuses on social, humanitarian, and human rights issues. It was initially considered less influential because it dealt with non-political, humanitarian matters rather than security or economic issues. However, its work on refugees and human rights became crucial in the post-World War II context. The committee's role expanded as global attention shifted to protecting displaced persons and establishing univer ...
Counterarguments
- While Eleanor Roosevelt's media engagement was groundbreaking, some critics argue that her unprecedented visibility sometimes overshadowed her husband's presidency and blurred the traditional boundaries of the First Lady's role.
- Opening press conferences exclusively to female reporters, though intended to promote gender equality, could be seen as exclusionary to male journalists and did not address broader systemic barriers for women in journalism.
- Despite her prolific writing, some contemporaries and later critics have noted that Eleanor Roosevelt's columns and books sometimes lacked depth or were repetitive, focusing more on personal impressions than substantive policy analysis.
- Her extensive travel as First Lady, while intended to connect with ordinary Americans, was criticized by some as costly and unnecessary during the Great Depression and wartime austerity.
- Eleanor Roosevelt's decision to dismiss her Secret Service detail and drive herself was viewed by some as reckless and a potential security risk.
- Her appointment as assistant director of civilian defense was criticized as an example of nepotism or cronyism, and some argued that her lack of formal experience in defense or emergency management limited ...
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Community Development and Humanitarian Projects
Eleanor Roosevelt’s public life is defined by a relentless commitment to community uplift and humanitarian endeavors, demonstrated through her partnerships, advocacy, and hands-on involvement in innovative projects.
Eleanor Co-founded Val-kill Industries, a Furniture Factory Producing Colonial Reproductions, Reflecting Her Commitment to Sustainable Employment
Eleanor Roosevelt co-founded Val-Kill Industries, a nonprofit furniture factory, alongside Marian Dickerman and Nancy Cook. This collective business model established quality jobs, focusing on fair labor and wages for workers. The factory specialized in crafting reproductions of colonial furniture and pewter items, reflecting Eleanor’s dedication to sustainable employment and craftsmanship. After Dickerman and Cook lived at Val-Kill for about thirty years, Eleanor herself made one of the cottages at Val-Kill her residence following her husband’s death, further cementing her personal commitment to the site and its legacy.
Eleanor Developed the Arthurdale Project in West Virginia to Uplift Families During the Great Depression
Moved by the severe poverty of coal miners in Scotts Run, West Virginia during the Great Depression, Eleanor envisioned and helped implement a federal plan to establish worker communities. After visiting Scotts Run in 1933, she initiated the Arthurdale project 25 miles south of there—referred to as “Eleanor’s Little Village.” This planned community provided modern amenities such as electric homes and affordable rent (about $20 a month), which were considered luxuries in rural West Virginia at the time. Despite skepticism and ridicule from some observers, Arthurdale thrived and became home to generations of residents, proving Eleanor's faith in the potential of such communities.
Eleanor's Extraordinary Commitment to Arthurdale: 33 Visits After First Lady Role Ended
Eleanor Roosevelt’s devotion to Arthurdale did not fade after her tenure as First Lady. Between 1935 and 1944, she attended every high school graduation at Arthurdale and assisted graduates in finding employment, a vivid demonstration of her continued support. Even after the U.S. government ceased overseeing Arthurdale in 1947, Eleanor continued her visits until 1960—just two years before her death. She also purchased and personally delivered Christmas gifts for the children, becoming a beloved and enduring figure within t ...
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Community Development and Humanitarian Projects
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Counterarguments
- Val-Kill Industries, while well-intentioned, struggled financially and ultimately closed in 1938, raising questions about the long-term sustainability and scalability of such nonprofit ventures.
- The products made at Val-Kill Industries were luxury colonial reproductions, which may not have addressed the broader needs of the working poor or unemployed during the Great Depression.
- The Arthurdale project, though innovative, was criticized for being expensive and inefficient, with high per-family costs that limited its replicability as a national solution to poverty.
- Arthurdale’s selection process for residents was not fully inclusive; some local families, particularly African Americans, were excluded from participation, reflecting the racial limitations of New Deal-era programs.
- Eleanor Roosevelt’s involvement in projects like Arthurdale was sometimes seen as paternalistic, with critics arguing that such top-down initiatives did not always empower communities to direct their own futures.
- D ...
Actionables
- you can support fair labor and sustainable jobs by choosing to buy everyday products from local makers or cooperatives that clearly share how they treat and pay their workers, then sharing your positive experiences with friends or on social media to encourage others to do the same
- (For example, when you need a new chair, look for a local carpenter or a cooperative store, ask about their labor practices, and post a photo and a short story about your purchase online.)
- a practical way to foster community empowerment is to regularly check in with a neighbor or acquaintance who might be isolated or struggling, offering small, consistent help like running errands together or sharing resources
- (For example, set a reminder to call or visit an elderly neighbor once a week, or organize a simple swap of books, tools, or groceries with someone nearby.)
- you can champion social justice and humanitarian values by setting asi ...
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