A 2013 - 2014 original C-SPAN feature series telling the stories of America's First Ladies - from Martha Washington to Michelle Obama -
through conversations with top experts, video tours of historic sites, and questions from C-SPAN's audience.

America's First Ladies — from Martha Washington to Michelle Obama
Eleanor Roosevelt
First Lady: 1933 - 1945
Click the list to watch videos
  • Eleanor Roosevelt program
  • Discussion on Legacy and Influence of First Ladies
  • Political partnership with FDR
  • Allida Black on Eleanor's political views
  • Allida Black on Eleanor's use of the media
  • Support for African American women's rights
  • Controlling her public image
  • Mary McLeod Bethune
  • Stance on integration of armed forces
  • Rosalyn Terborg-Penn on Eleanor's journalism and column
  • Effect of FDR's polio on their marriage
  • William Seale on Eleanor's post-White House career
  • Travels and approach to being First Lady
  • Entertaining style and celebrity guests
  • Effect of holding news conferences for women only
  • Eleanor's relationship to liberal wing of Democratic party
  • Polarizing political figure
  • Edith Mayo on Eleanor and FDR as parents
  • Eleanor Roosevelt program - Opening clip
  • 1953 interview: Definition of a liberal
  • 1960 ad for JFK's presidential campaign
  • Full 1953 "Longines Chronoscope" interview
  • Political Partnership
  • Radio Address on the Attack of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941
  • United Nations Address on the Human Rights Declaration
  • Life and Entertaining at Val-Kill
  • Address to Troops in South Pacific
  • Private Quarters at Val-Kill
  • Her "My Day" Columns
  • Life at Springwood
  • 1933 Address to Women
  • Entertaining
  • Edith Mayo on Eleanor Roosevelt's Image
  • War Time Efforts
  • Her Daily Column
  • Her Influence
  • Her Husband's Death
  • Public Image
  • The Tuskegee Airmen
  • Radio Broadcast on Pearl Harbor
  • United Nations Address in 1952
  • Author Craig Robinson on Eleanor Roosevelt
  • Michael Hiltzik on Eleanor Roosevelt
  • President Obama Weekly Address
  • Book Discussion on Eleanor Roosevelt: Transformative First Lady
  • Mike Wallace Interview with Eleanor Roosevelt 1957

Biography

Eleanor Roosevelt

Franklin Delano Roosevelt
As life developed, I faced each problem as it came along. As my activities and work broadened and reached out, I never tried to shirk. I tried never to evade an issue. When I found I had something to do—I just did it.

Born - October 11, 1884 in New York, New York

Parents - Elliott Roosevelt & Anna Livingston Hall Roosevelt

Married - March 17, 1905 to Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Children - Anna Eleanor (1906 – 1975),
James (1907 – 1991),
Franklin (1909),
Elliott (1910 – 1990),
Franklin Delano, Jr. (1914 – 1988),
John Aspinwall (1916 – 1981)

Education - Allenwood School in London, England

Occupation - social worker

Firsts - 1st First Lady to host a weekly radio show. 1st First Lady to hold a press conference in the White House to women reporters only.

Post White House residence - New York City

Causes - After the White House, she served as United States delegate to the United Nations General Assembly and later the head of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights

Died - November 7, 1962 in New York, New York

Click here to see full bio of Eleanor Roosevelt

 
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