Women in History: Anna Eleanor Roosevelt Part One

Never doubt the influence a single person can make in the life of another; Anna Eleanor Roosevelt had just such an influence in her young life. Although from an aristocratic and wealthy family, it was not a family member who opened the young woman's eyes to what would become a lifelong cause.

Eleanor Roosevelt's Childhood

Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was born to parent Anna Hall Roosevelt and Elliot Roosevelt October 11, 1884 as the youngest of three children. Mother Anna was a tall, stately figure who had been a popular debutante and social figure. Eleanor's father, Elliot, whom Eleanor referred to as a sportsman due to his proclivity for hunting, suffered from addiction problems--either alcohol or narcotics--or possibly both. Elliot was the younger brother of President Theodore Roosevelt.

Eleanor Roosevelt was orphaned at a young age. Her mother died in 1892, at which time the children went to live with their maternal grandmother--a formidable woman in her own right. Eleanor's father died two years later.

From 1892 through 1902, Eleanor studied abroad at the Allenswood Girl's Academy in London. Her the shy and socially awkward young woman came into her own with other young ladies her age. The school was run by Marie Souvestre who took a personal interest in Eleanor, engaging her as a traveling companion and personally overseeing Eleanor's study is subjects not offered at the school.

It was while traveling with Souvestre that Eleanor became exposed to people and areas of poverty. Ms. Souvestre's travels in France and Italy encompassed areas other than the usual tourist spots. Souvestre introduced Eleanor to ideas of social reform--an idea that throughout her adult life Eleanor took to heart. She later credited the teacher as "the greatest influence on her educational and emotional development" (National First Ladies' Library).

Young Adulthood

Acceding to her maternal grandmother's wishes, Eleanor returned to the United States to make her social debut.
Eleanor became active in social reform, having been greatly influenced by Theodore Roosevelt and his reform-oriented agenda. Through her experiences in the social reform movement, Eleanor was exposed to a variety of people in all socioeconomic classes. She also learned the importance of organized political reform and how things had to be done to legally change the system.

Among her activities in her young adult life, Eleanor was an investigator for The Consumer's League in New York. It was here that she visited tenement apartment buildings, investigating the living and working conditions of those who lived there. Sweatshops were often set up within those same buildings. In addition to her investigation work, Eleanor learned how to deal with the public and press via open letters and other media forms.

During what might have otherwise been a routine visit by train to visit her maternal grandmother, Eleanor met and struck up a friendship with another passenger. His name was Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Courtship and Marriage

A romance budded between the Harvard University student and the young woman with a passion for social reform. The two were cousins, but distant cousins--fifth cousins, once removed. Their courtship was a secret, but when they became engaged, Franklin's mother, Sara, forbade them from marrying, giving the reason that they were too young to make such a decision. After a time, Sara Roosevelt conceded to her son's wishes and permitted the couple to marry.

The couple married in New York City on March 17, 1905 in Eleanor's aunts adjoining homes. Eleanor was walked down the aisle by her uncle, President Theodore Roosevelt.

Married life for the couple during their first years was overseen by Sara Roosevelt. She chose their first home, it's decor and even the staff of the house. There was also a second home which was directly next to Sara Roosevelt's home, with doors that connected the two buildings.

Eleanor gave birth to her only daughter in the spring of 1906; the birth of five sons followed.

Franklin Roosevelt served two terms in the New York State Senate. During his tenure there, Eleanor began to attend legislative sessions, acquiring an interest in political affairs. From 1913 to 1920, Franklin Roosevelt served as Assistant Navy Secretary; Eleanor faithfully fulfilled the duties of a cabinet member's spouse at that time, making social calls and attending social functions.

But all of her time was not spent idly. She also served in volunteer positions such as fund-raising through the Navy Relief Society and providing direct coffee and sandwiches to departing soldiers at Union Station in Washington, D.C. Eleanor Roosevelt was instrumental in the creation of a commission to look into the deplorable conditions at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, a facility that housed sailors who returned home from the war with emotional problems. From the commission's report, congress acted to increase funding to the hospital.

Sources: The White House: Our First Ladies
National First Ladies' Library