Eleanor Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt, once president of the United States of America, was no doubt a formidable man. Not to be forgotten however, is the story of his First Lady of 1933 - 1945, Eleanor Roosevelt. She was born on the 11th of October in the year 1884, and her legacy, spanning 78 years, became a part of history when she passed on on 7th of November 1962. However, the numerous assignments which she had embarked on throughout the course of her life still remain to significantly impact our lives.
In 1962, Roosevelt began her work with the World Trade Union League, which actively fought for the Women's Suffrage, or rather, the right to vote. She believed that the day women were allowed to vote would be the day they were provided with protective legislative dignity and benefits would follow political equity.
An active human rights activist, Roosevely was an extremely outspoken lady who lobbied extensively for the ideals which she espoused. A champion of Franklin's ideals, she believed that everyone should have a share of the pie; in other words, America's profits. She felt that it was inhumane that there could be people living like lords on champagne and caviar while numerous others were suffering in slums. These people were denied the basic necessities such as education, food, work, and hence, the means to break out of the squalor which had enveloped them. She believed that the government had to provide for all Americans equally, regardless of their social status, and render even more aid to those who required it. In addition to that, she was a role model and inspiration to many women in politics, with her remarkable track record as a member of the National Advisory Committee of the Peace Corps, and the chairperson of the President's Commission for human rights.
She also did her part to provide girls with a chance for education, by offering her services as a teacher of History and Literature at the Todhunter School for Girls in New York City in the 1920s. She also joined the then U.S. president, Harry S. Truman in drafting the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, serving as chairperson of the declaration during that period of time. She considered her greatest achievement during her life however, to be the adoption of the UN's declaration of human rights by the Paris Assembly.
Eleanor Roosevelt did whatever she could to fight for equality. She used her position as First Lady with discretion and wisdom for the betterment of society and to promote liberty. An admirable woman, with such admirable goals will definitely remain in our memories, long after she has left this world.