what is it like to be thewife of the president of the United states? Fun? Exciting?Constrcting? Though First Ladies are not elected to office, they fill an important position. some women slip into the job easily For others the office is an awkward fit.
shy ,reserved Eleanor Roosevelt became First Lady in1932. it seemed she had been born for the job. she was the daughter of a wealthy NEW York family . At her wedding, she was led down the aisle by hey uncle, President Theodore Roosevelt.But Eleanor's life wasn't quite the charmed existence it might have seemed.
Eleanor's mother, Anna, was a society beauty. she saw none of the looks and grace she had hoped for in solemn, gangly Eleanor. Anna kept her daughyer at arm's length. When Eleanor was eight, Anna died. With her hather, Elliott, Eleanor felt loved and accepted. Elliott died of alcoholism when she was ten. Loneliness became a way of life.
At fifteen, Eleanor was sent to a prominent school in England.There her eyes were opened to a world of ideas. she became intersted in social issues. she loved the school.Suddenly her life seemed to have meaning and purpose. She knew she wanted to help people and work for social reform.
Upon her return home, she faced her debut(day BYEW)season in New York. As debutantes(DEB yew tawnts), young society girls were expected to attend a series of parties given by important families. All eligible young men and women came to these affairs. The unspoken goal of a girl's "coming out" season was engagement to a suitabie young man.
Eleanor thounght herself plain and gawky. she hated the glittering parties. she suffered through the season as a wallflower, embarrassed and lonely. Finally it was over. Eleanor threw herselfinto charity work. she visited sweatshops. she saw the misery of the women and children workers. she worked with immugrants and other inneed.
Meanwhile, she had captured the heart of a young law student. Franklin was a distant cousin.