Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt (francescosalistrari.blogspot.com)

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."  By believing in her dreams she was able see her vision of a better future become a reality. She was the type of woman who spoke out candidly about the matters she was passionate about whenever given the chance. Although growing up Eleanor was not always so outspoken; she endured a society-obsessed mother and an irresponsible father ("Eleanor Roosevelt"). She only blossomed into the well rounded driven woman that she was after being sent away to prep school, shortly after both of her parents had died, at age ten. ("A REAL FIRST LADY.") After this she married into the political position of President`s wife by marrying Franklin D. Roosevelt, and was able to flourish under the support she was given in her new marriage. (Harris, Cynthia M.) Her husband's position gave her the opportunity to speak up for women and civil rights (within the African-American community) on a platform that was much bigger then she could ever possibly obtain before ("Eleanor Roosevelt."). After spending many years speaking out for the equal rights of people on her own, she moved on to bigger projects, working with the UN to create the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. ("Eleanor Roosevelt.") One of her most incredible accomplishments was being the only First Lady ever to stay in the White House after her husband's term as president had ended. She used this privilege to continue working on the matters she was ever so devoted to. Near the end of her life she was given 3 new titles by the new president, John F Kennedy, including: delegate to the UN, adviser to the Peace Corps, and chairman of the President's Commission on the Status of Women ("Eleanor Roosevelt."). Overcoming a childhood of neglect taught Eleanor to have a persistent motivation to keep fighting for change and continue expanding her efforts to excel on projects she was working on. The resiliency and courage that Eleanor possessed in all aspects of her life proved her to be a deserving hero.

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Even with all of the struggles of her childhood, she withstood and thrived from them with great resiliency. She was brought up in upstate New York, born into a financially stable, but emotionally broken home: "Elliott was plagued by frequent mental depressions and by alcoholism. Her mother, beautiful but neurotic, was preoccupied with the family's image in upper-class society" ("Eleanor Roosevelt"). Even the brief time she had with her parents where not ideal. She lacked the basic support of her family and had to accomplish all of the things she did on her own. This crack in her emotional foundation sparked a determination in Eleanor that allowed her to achieve her goals without the support she truly needed. Her resiliency did not damage her, but rather, motivated her to work harder. Eleanor has fought not only to overcome a troubled past, but also a marriage plagued with a new struggle at every turn. A few years after Franklin's affair he contracted polio, and being the faithful companion that she is she helped him every step of the way:  "Franklin contracted polio. Hour by hour, through long nights, Eleanor continually nursed him. Cooperating with her husband's political aide," ("Eleanor Roosevelt"). When Franklin contracted polio, it changed the course of his life. He was disabled and could not use the lower half of his body. This, in turn, made Eleanor Roosevelt's life very difficult as she had to take care of him. Although Franklin thought that after he contracted this disease it would be the end of his political career, Eleanor pushed him to keep going and helped him back on his feet  to start campaigning again. As Eleanor Roosevelt has overcome struggles in all parts of her life she has set an example of resiliency and other character traits.

Her courage in a time of racism and gender inequality has made her an important figure in human rights. During one of the darkest times in America's history she was a beaconing light of hope for all colored men and women: "Eleanor took it upon herself to champion the rights of blacks. She believed that by working step by step against injustice, blacks could eventually achieve equality. Speaking out for civil rights cost Eleanor popularity" ("Eleanor Roosevelt").  Although supporting the rights of colored people in this time were frowned upon and decreased her popularity within voters, she knew that it was the morally just thing to do. Eleanor had a zealous nature when it came to race equality. She saw through prejudice and freely accepted others even when it cost her, her own acceptance within certain circles.  It took huge amounts of courage to defend colored people`s rights while being in the spotlight of the media,  the way she did, but time and time again she stood strong through all the backlash thrown her way, and armed herself with the only message of equality and acceptance for every man and women in return.  During Eleanor's time in office she set the stage for so many other things; she broke precedent by speaking out for what she believed in and refusing to stand on the sidelines of Teddy`s presidency: "She transformed the role of First Lady... She also broke precedent to hold press conferences, travel to all parts of the country, give lectures and radio broadcasts, and express her opinions candidly in a daily syndicated newspaper column, "My Day."" ("Anna Eleanor Roosevelt.") It took Eleanor immense amounts of courage to break the previous limits set by the title of first lady. Her love for humanity could not be deterred by people who didn't support her. Her biggest obstacles were the limits that people set for her, not because they were too high, but because they were incredibly low. She spent her whole life proving that she was more capable than those limits and sustained her devoted nature throughout her entire political career.

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Although being plagued with constant hardships in her personal life, Eleanor has tirelessly kept working for the equality of all people. Growing up without the support of her parents, and overcoming the inherited limits set by the title of first lady Eleanor shows us that we truly have no excuses. She bravely spoke out about her beliefs and started numerous projects to promote the equality of everyone; the most influential being the universal declaration of human rights. I am so deeply inspired by Eleanor because she breaks through the limits that people set for her. She is given parameters based on what a First Lady or what a woman in this country is expected to do and, instead of accepting it, she defies these limits and instead achieves what she believes she can do. This inspires me to speak out for what I believe is right in my community without concern about the social consequences I might face. Being in a leadership position myself, I am constantly challenged with making the decision that flows with my beliefs or the one that is accepted by my peers. Eleanor shows me that this option is clear when you have a determination to fight for what you believe in even when people may stand against you. Eleanor is a constant reminder that the way to overcome adversity is to believe in the beauty our dreams. She teaches us that we have to have confidence in our own vision of a better future first, and trust that humanity will follow in our footsteps.  

Works Consulted

"Anna Eleanor Roosevelt." The White House. The White House, n.d. Web. 07 May 2015.)

"A REAL FIRST LADY." New York Post [New York, NY] 10 Oct. 2006: 42. Biography in Context. Web. 4 May 2015.g

"Eleanor Roosevelt." Contemporary Heroes and Heroines. Vol. 1. Detroit: Gale, 1990.Biography in Context. Web. 7 May 2015.

"Eleanor Roosevelt." Encyclopedia of World Biography. Detroit: Gale, 1998. Biography in Context. Web. 3 May 2015.

"Eleanor Roosevelt." Historic World Leaders. Gale, 1994. Biography in Context. Web. 7 May       2015.Nations, and the World Court.

Harris, Cynthia M. Eleanor Roosevelt: A Biography. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 2007. Print.)