A Tribute to Eleanor Roosevelt
Photo from Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.
First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, 1933
Eleanor Roosevelt was born on October 11,1884, in New York, New York. Many people remember her because she was married to President Franklin D. Roosevelt and holds the distinction of being the longest-serving first lady of the United States. Eleanor Roosevelt was also a powerful and courageous woman before and after her role as the president’s wife.
On March 27, 1958, she made a speech during the 10th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as “In Your Hands: A Guide to Community Action” was presented to the Human Rights Commission.
Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home – so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any map of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person: the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.
I believe her words are applicable to the goal of ending racism. I ask myself some version of her question almost every day. Where, after all, does ending racism begin? Ending racism begins wherever we are. It begins in our homes, our jobs, with our family and friends. Ending racism requires awareness and action at a personal level. It requires working on our hearts and minds. It requires modeling the behavior we want to see in others.
Mrs. Roosevelt’s life was full of examples of how she applied her actions and demonstrated her commitment to be a champion for equality and justice for all. She was an inspiring public speaker and a prolific writer. In 1933, she held a press conference which only allowed female reporters. She published a syndicated news column, “My Day” from 1935 until her death in 1962. Among the examples of her advocacy are her public support for the efforts of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Her voice was instrumental in the fight to desegregate the armed forces, public schools, and to end housing discrimination.
My two most powerful stories about her stem from her courageous work on behalf of Black women. Even before Mrs. Roosevelt became the first lady, she was an everyday ambassador for dignity and respect for others. She met Mary McLeod Bethune in 1927 when she chose to sit with her during a meeting of national women’s organizations. Bethune was the only Black woman present, and none of the other white women would sit with her. The two became lifelong friends. Bethune was later appointed to serve as a special advisor to President Roosevelt. When Bethune established the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. in 1935, Eleanor Roosevelt became a life member and continued to work with her to bring issues related to racial discrimination to the attention of the White House.
In 1939, the legendary singer Marion Anderson was scheduled to sing at the Daughters of the American Revolution meeting at Constitution Hall. There was a “whites only” rule, and she was denied the opportunity to perform before 4,000 people because she was Black. Mrs. Roosevelt was greatly disturbed by this and used her power and influence to host a concert for 75,000 people at the Lincoln Memorial on Easter Sunday. In 1955, Anderson became the first Black soloist to sing at New York’s Metropolitan Opera.
Wherever her life led her – from her work with women’s organizations, serving as first lady, her radio and television broadcast, United States delegate to the United Nations, first chairperson of the President’s Commission on the Status of Women for President John F. Kennedy – Mrs. Roosevelt demonstrated her belief in using the personal power we each possess. She truly believed that the change we need is in our hands and encouraged everyone to do something to advance the cause of equality and justice in their sphere of influence.
Where does ending racism begin? Mrs. Roosevelt was right:
In small places, close to home – so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any map of the world.
Let your search for change begin with your words, your actions, your deeds.
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