Im watching a PBS program about Elanor. It says she was the driving force behind the "New Deal." She would have women only press confrences and travel the country by herself visiting poor people and areas.

We've had questions about Presidents. I was wondering who you think was the best (most influential) first lady and why you think that!

They say behind every good man is a better woman!!

Ahhhhhhhh.........

and in front???
Beside

Beside every good man is a better woman!!

I am.... even tho im not married to the president or for that matter even married haha sorry

Martha Dandridge Custis Washington gave comfort to the father of our country "George Washington".

I believe she played a important role in supporting George Washington and his followers to fulfill the Declaration of Independence to win decisive wars against the English to change the name from 13 colonies to 13 states.

That special is way good!!!!!! Who know she did so much....

That special shows that after President Roosevelt died see did a lot of amazing things including a diving force to establish human right which all nations agreed to and signed.. Through those negotiations she was the person that added women to those rights.

Truly an amazing lady

On February 26, 1939, Eleanor Roosevelt resigned from the Daughters of the American Revolution in support of African American opera singer Marian Anderson.

As a celebrated opera singer Marian Anderson was used to attracting public attention for her singing, but ironically it was her inability to sing that placed her at the center of great controversy and drew the attention of one of the most famous women of her time, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

During the 1930s, African American contralto Marian Anderson sang at Europe's most famous concert halls and met great success, but when she returned to the United States she encountered racism, discrimination, and segregation. In January 1939, Ms. Anderson wanted to give a performance at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., but was told by the manager that she could not use the hall because of a prior engagement. After her request for alternate performance dates was also refused, the reason for Ms. Anderson's dismisal was clear. Marian Anderson could not sing at Constitution Hall because the Hall's owners - the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.) - had a policy to not allow African American performers on the stage.

Many people spoke out against the Daughters of the American Revolution's policy, but the civil rights issue soon took on national importance; the D.A.R. had one member that was not willing to sit idly by as the organization discriminated against Marian Anderson, and that was Eleanor Roosevelt. From the beginning, there was no question whose side Mrs. Roosevelt was on; a champion of civil rights, Eleanor Roosevelt welcomed both blacks and whites at the White House, and even invited Marian Anderson to perform there in 1936. However, as the First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt was aware her actions could anger some of her husband's southern political supporters, but in the end Mrs. Roosevelt put politics aside and followed her conscience. On February 26, 1939, Eleanor Roosevelt sent a letter to the Chairwoman of the Daughters of the American Revolution announcing her resignation. Mrs. Roosevelt's resignation and commentary on social justice published in her weekly "My Day" column THE NEXT DAY BROUGHT NATIONAL ATTENTION to the issue of civil rights.

Marian Anderson did not sing at Constitution Hall in 1939. Instead, thanks to the support of the Roosevelt administration, Ms. Anderson gave a concert on April 9, 1939, Easter Day, at the base of the Lincoln Memorial and the concert was broadcast across the country. That day Marian Anderson's voice was not confined by the segregationist policy of the Daughters of the American Revolution but instead reached into THE HOMES OF AMERICANS THROUGHOUT THE NATION.

The concert, commencing with a dignified and stirring rendition of "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" attracted a crowd of more 75,000 of all colors and was a sensation with a national radio audience of millions.[4]

1939!!! WOW

Eleanor Roosevelt's Letter of Resignation
http://www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/tmirhfee.html

She was one of the first US delegates to the UN!!

11 time Most Admired Woman in the World!!

Thanks for the info, Fanta!

Little known fact about Eleanor Roosevelt was that she was also a lesbian.

Funny they didnt mention that!

You'll have to show proof, of course,
such a claim as that!

Not that it would matter, but she always travelled with a boy toy everywhere she went. The FBI has a thicker file on her than any file they have. They accused her of carrying on an affair with one of her boy toys twice.
If she was gay, then so be it. She didn't flaunt it publicly and she's not judged to be great on her gayness, or lack of.

She is given credit by history for what she did, for her tireless work, and for doing so when it when it wasn't common for women to do.
Once, the FBI warned her of travelling to an appearance in Nashville, Tenn in a black community. They said they couldn't guarantee her safety. The KKK had threatened to kill her.
She went with no escort, no secret service. no bodyguard. She was met at the airport by a 71 yr old woman friend, put a pistol between them on the seat and drove right through a KKK rally and on to her appearance.
What a woman.....

They say Hillary did a lot for women. Elanor Roosevelt set an example for women Hillary will never equal!