Eleanor Roosevelt: The Most Important First Lady

2135 Words9 Pages
Sahra Sheikhnur AP English Period 2 Eleanor Roosevelt, The most important First Lady “People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built” said First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. An American is someone that cares for everyone, no matter whom they are and where they come from. A significant impact is when someone makes a difference on a matter that needs improvement. Eleanor Roosevelt made a tremendous impact on America that makes the world a better place today. Eleanor Roosevelt’s childhood and adulthood took place in a very discriminative time, for both women and people of color in America. The oppression of women and African Americans during World War I, World War II, and the Great…show more content…
Eleanor Roosevelt’s role as the First Lady gave a new definition to Americanism. Americanism is spreading generosity and aid to one’s fellow American citizens. Eleanor was referred to as “the most important First Lady” because of her outstanding efforts towards women, African Americans, workers, and many more. Eleanor undertook a newspaper column, numerous amounts of essays, and radio broadcasts. All the income that derived from these projects all went to charity. Many look at the “the First Lady” as just the president’s wife, but, she was much more than that. Eleanor always said “I never wanted to be a President's wife." Eleanor redefined the typical role of the First Lady, not only because of her feminist views. Eleanor had regular press conferences, something that the first lady had never done. She did charity work, helped people in need during the Great Depression, and visited the slums. Not many first ladies did this much for the world. Eleanor cared for everyone at that is what makes her a true “American.” Eleanor was even nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, but didn’t win. Although she didn’t win, she received many other honors that were just as great. Eleanor’s work toward equality had a significant impact on America today. Because of Eleanor Roosevelt, women were no longer “oppressed.” Eleanor’s dedication and struggle to gain rights for women, and African Americans shows…show more content…
Eleanor wanted to set men and women equal in order for them to receive the same opportunities and rights. Eleanor Roosevelt made a lasting impact on improving the lives of women today. Equality was Eleanor’s number one goal for America. Of much concern to her was ensuring equal opportunities for women under Roosevelt’s New Deal project. Franklin Roosevelt neglected women in a way that Eleanor strongly disagreed with. Roosevelt’s New Deal program not only neglected women, it also neglected workers and African Americans. Franklin did not ensure proper employment for women. Eleanor greatly opposed women’s suffrage, so she coordinated the League Legislative Program and laws providing equal representation for men and women. Eleanor was destined to ensure equal opportunities for women, and didn’t care what the consequences would be. Eleanor helped draft the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was her greatest achievement for equality. The Declaration of Human Rights served as a foundation for basic human rights and freedom regardless of nationality, ethnicity, race, gender, religion, or any other status. Without Eleanor’s endless support towards women’s rights, women would still be the most underrepresented and fraught group in the world. Eleanor’s hard work and devotion towards women’s rights proves why she is a significant figure in
Open Document