Yuki Zbytovsky
3/18/15
P.6 APUSH
Essay 33
Eleanor’s Legacy Eleanor Roosevelt is known as one of the most influential women of history. She worked for numerous social causes and aided thousands of people in the United States. Not only did she begin working for social causes while in the White House, but also at a young age after finishing her school and after her role as first lady. Today, she is remembered with great respect and reverence for her actions as a leader for Women’s ad Civil rights, aiding children and the poor, general support for the public, among other greatly beneficial works. Eleanor Roosevelt truly played an influential role in reform movements in the United States through her dedication and commitment to the American people. Eleanor Roosevelt was born on October 11th, 1884 and was the niece of former president Theodore Roosevelt. She was born to a wealthy family but lived a sad life as a shy child. Before her mother and father both passed away when she was at a young age, Eleanor’s mother constantly put her down. She grew up thinking very lowly of herself, but later gained her confidence while being educated in England. Right out of schooling at the age of 18, Eleanor became very involved with social reform work. She served as a volunteer teacher for underprivileged children at Manhattan’s Rivington Street Settlement House. Her work as a young woman did not stop there. Eleanor also joined the National Consumers’ League with the goal to put an end to unsafe and unfair working conditions in all businesses in the United States. As Eleanor worked for the community, she also caught the eye of Franklin D. Roosevelt and the couple were married soon after. Eleanor was walked down the aisle by the president at the time, and her Uncle, Theodore Roosevelt. The couple lived with Franklin Roosevelt’s mother, who despised Eleanor and constantly scrutinized her. To escape from her mother in law’s constant stare, Eleanor converted her frustrations into community service and assistance once again and she volunteered for the American Red Cross in many Navy hospitals during World War I. When her husband’s political career rose and he was elected to the New York Senate, Eleanor’s opportunity for service also expanded. She became increasingly interested in Democratic Party politics and also began joining some more activist organizations for women. From the beginning of her career, Eleanor had always been passionate for women’s rights and will continue to join more organizations for their liberty. The first organizations she joined as her husband became part of the senate included the Women’s Union Trade League and the League of Women Voters. She also resumed teaching as she believed educating children was one of the best opportunities for social change. Eleanor Roosevelt did not begin her community work as she became first lady, but began early in her career straight out of school. She pursued social workings because it was a passion she wished to pursue and she dedicated much of her life to the service of people. The political opportunities brought by her husband were gateways for her to reach new ways to aid the community, but it was not the root of her passion for helping others. When Franklin D. Roosevelt became president, her opportunities for social service widened even more. At first, Eleanor Roosevelt was hesitant on becoming the First Lady of the United States, as it meant leaving behind her positions as a teacher and in her former organizations she deeply cared about. Still, Eleanor was launched into the role practically involuntarily as her husband suffered from a great polio attack. This was during an especially difficult time in American history, the Great Depression, so Eleanor had to step into his place continue Franklin’s political career. As the president attended therapy and other methods of recovery from his polio attacks, Eleanor traveled across the United States and served as the President’s