|
Will people ever be wise enough to refuse to follow bad
leaders or to take away the freedom of other people?
For more than fifty years, a major ethical character has
influenced the American political landscape: Eleanor Roosevelt.
In the US, her moral example still stands as a touchstone
for millions of people, regardless of professional, political,
religious or ethnic backgrounds.
Outside the American culture, a large number of people
consider Eleanor to be an exceptional historical figure,
who along with her husband, was passionately committed to
a series of “great causes” in the 1930’s
and throughout World WarII. She was further known for her
commitment to what were then considered marginal causes,
such as the rights of women and minorities.
Eleanor Roosevelt (1886-1962) was indeed a remarkable woman
– a “leader” who was able to garner attention
for her causes and mobilize individuals and their energy
around large scale efforts. This while always maintaining
her modest conduct and continuing to nurture a growing comprehension
of herself, of others, and of the world at large.
Although her pivotal role in the adoption of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights (1948) is seen by many as the
apex of her achievements, she accomplished much more in
her lifetime. And whether it was defending women’s
rights, contributing to the development of the New Deal,
struggling against segregation, writing daily columns or
promoting World peace, she carried out all of her efforts
with the same unfailing energy.
Despite her extensive and diverse accomplishments, Eleanor
Roosevelt experienced many difficulties – marked by
grief and sadness - during her early years. Her childhood
was a harsh one, and as a youngster did not appear to be
particularly talented. Bearing deeply personal burdens and
lacking “natural gifts”, how did she become
such a respected and beloved leader? Was it because she
listened and learned from others? Because she was never
indifferent to the events around her? Because she was interested
in every human being?
Far from being a mere historical figure, belonging to othe
distant past, Eleanor Roosevelt teaches us by the example
of her life, what an integral leader can be. That from one
epiphany to another, someone can deepen one’s relationship
with oneself and with others. That with tenacity, energy
and commitment to positive change, one can modify one’s
vision of time and spirituality.
Through the use of a previously unpublished analytical
grid, Eleanor Roosevelt’s Leadergraphy will examine
and underline the progressive stages of development that
allowed her to transcend the times in which she lived, her
individual condition and her culture. Further, her example
will help to reveal how an integral leader’s strength
differs from that of other leaders who tend to fence their
own growth, or who address only one part of the developmental
equation.
...
She:
• Learned fluent French in England
• Created a furniture workshop
• Created the first TV talk-shows
• Convinced her husband to run for Presidency
• Traveled around the world
• Had the biggest file in the FBI red list
• Wrote her memoirs several times, along with thousands of columns in national newspapers
• Supported minority causes
• Was known for her intense, beautiful gaze
• Fought diseases
• Met top Soviet executives during the Cold War
• Led the adoption of the Universal Declaration of
the Human Rights
But, she:
• Was a very bad cook
• Was a poor speaker
• Was seen as too tall and had horse teeth.
• Dressed with an odd fashion sense
• Was often stubborn
• Wasn’t a good business manager
• Often upset her husband
• Was afraid of water
• Didn’t always choose the right friends
• Caused problems within her family
• Had some prejudices
Timeline
| 1884 |
Born in New York |
| 1895 |
Her father dies a year after her mother |
| 1899-1902 |
Internship in England (Allenswood). Mme Souvestre,
head-mistress of the school, becomes the “mentor
of her life” |
| 1905 |
Marries Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 4 years older than
her. |
| 1906-1916 |
ER has six children, Anna, James, Franklin Jr. I,
Elliott, Franklin Jr. II, John. Franklin Jr. I dies
at an early age. |
| 1918 |
“The Lucy Mercer Affair”: ER discovers
her personal secretary has had an affair with her husband. |
| 1921 |
Franklin Roosevelt is paralyzed by polio. |
| 1928 |
FDR elected Governor of New York – family moves
to Albany |
| 1932 |
FDR elected President of the United States |
| |
ER Meets Lorena Hicock |
| 1936 |
ER starts her column “My Day”. She will
write it daily for 25 years |
| 1940 |
Makes the acquaintance of Joseph Lash |
| 1945 |
FDR dies |
| 1946-1952 |
Appointed US Delegate to the United Nations |
| 1947 |
Presides over the Commission of Human Rights at the
UN. Makes the Acquaintance of
Dr David Gurevitch |
1948
December 10th |
Adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
in Paris |
| 1950 |
Starts her TV and radio shows on the NBC network |
| 1952 |
Supports Adlai Stevenson against Eisenhower |
| 1960 |
Supports JFK for Presidency |
| 1961 |
Nominated anew as US Delegate to the UN |
| 1962 |
Dies at the age of 78. |
Top of page
|
CHOSEN LEADERS AND THEIR RESEARCHERS
