Today, we celebrate a remarkable woman, and the legacy she left behind. This woman’s words and actions are timeless andstill having an impact on us today. This woman would be none other than the one and only, Eleanor Roosevelt, born on October 11th in 1884. She became one of the world’s most widely admired, and effective women to have ever lived.
She had many odds against her but that did not stop Eleanor. She rebuked oppression and went on to live a noble and impressionable life. Her words and quotes show her spirit, and attitude towards life. She was courageous, vivacious, and very ambitious.
She was a mother of six, who earned 35 honorary degrees, embraced world peace, had a compassionate concern for the welfare of others, helped the country’s poor, and took interest in child welfare, housing reform, womens equality, and the right of racial minorities. Can we say super badass? Yes, we can.
As Americas first lady from 1933-1945 she took risks and defied the limitations set for First Lady’s during her time and therefore credited with changing the role of the first Lady. She found her voice in public service, and it has been in force ever since.
When Female journalists were prohibited from major media events at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Eleanor decided to hold her own press conferences and they were for women only, which in turn ended up making way for females to be hired at newspapers and enter the journalism career-field.
She was deeply involved in her husband’s presidency, but her political activism did not end with his death. Harry S. Truman appointed Roosevelt as a United Nations delegate becoming the driving force behind the 1948 United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, which she had a part in writing along with the other 50-member states that eventually joined to compose. Harry Truman would from then on refer to Eleanor as, The First Lady of the world.
She defied the right things such as Birmingham’s Segregation laws and when attending the 1938 “Southern Conference in Alabama for Human Welfare she ignored the, ‘Whites Only’ signs, sat directly beside an African-American associate and refused to move whilst challenging Birmingham’s segregationists when telling her to move.
Long story short, they were afraid to arrest her after confronting her. That is bold, and beautiful. Eleanor was bold, and beautiful. The mighty actions she took were defining for America, and many other nations. She was a diplomat, a well poised lioness for humanity, and we can bet she is rooting for all women as we make the future female.
October 11th is not only the birthday of this fascinating woman. It is a day to be dedicated to our voices, stories, strength, and all we are capable of. Face your oppositions and thrive like Eleanor.
Here are a few quotes from Eleanor we should all try to live by, or keep close for inspiration.
“It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.”
“Be confident, not certain”
“We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it as not as dreadful as it appears; discovering that we have strength to stare it down,”
“Do what you feel in your heart to be right—for you will be criticized anyway.”