Two Women and their work for change.

This exhibit will focus on two great women of history. The focus will be on the mighty Anna Eleanor Roosevelt and her connection for women's rights and civil rights. This will close in on the effects Marian Anderson, big time African American singer, had on the country through the workings of Eleanor. The history and brief biography can be seen through pictures of each women and will extend into the story of how their paths crossed and what was accomplished by them without either women realizing that this one event could change the way America sees human rights. The story takes root in the event of the talented Marian Anderson singing at the Lincoln Memorial. This singular event holds so much importance in both women's lives. While Eleanor and Marian never became close and did not continue to work with each other this occasion shows well how very powerful Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt is. The courage, bravery, and passion for change it took for each women to commit to the event and take the actions to change could not be done by the weak of spirit. Rather Marian is just one example of the imprint Eleanor left during her time as first lady. The year is1939, the place Washington, DC and the environment was still a racially segregated city of Washington DC. 

The "First Lady of the World"

Throughout Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency, Eleanor traveled extensively around the nation, visiting relief projects, surveying working and living conditions, and then reporting her observations to the President. She was called "the President's eyes, ears and legs" and provided objective information to her husband. She also exercised her own political and social influence; she became an advocate of the rights and needs of the poor, of minorities, and of the disadvantaged. The public was drawn in by the First Lady's exploits and adventures which she recounted in her daily syndicated column, "My Day". She began writing the column in 1935 and continued until her death in 1962.

Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt (pictured above), was First Lady for 12 years. An outspoken advocate of social justice, she became a moral force during the Roosevelt administration, using her position as First Lady to promote social causes. 

 February 26, 1939 - Was the date of resignation from the Daughters of the American Revolution. This was a direct result of the organization adhering to local racial restrictions and refusing to rent its Constitution Hall for a concert by opera singer Marian Anderson. While she was not responsible for, nor attended the ensuing public concert by Anderson on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial two months later, she strongly supported it. Two months after that, she had Anderson sing in the White House for the King and Queen of England.

Fun Fact:

Amelia Earhart was supposed to teach Eleanor Roosevelt how to fly.

Writtings and artifacts

This is a telegram sent from the first lady to John Lovell, Jr. of Howard University. February 26, 1939

Eleanor Roosevelt resigned from the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) when it barred the world-renowned singer Marian Anderson, an African American, from performing at its Constitution Hall in Washington, DC. Following this  the federal government invited Anderson to sing at a public recital on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. The DAR had adopted a rule excluding African-American artists from the Constitution Hall stage in 1932 following protests over "mixed seating," blacks and whites seated together, at concerts of black artists. On February 26, 1939, Mrs. Roosevelt submitted her letter of resignation to the DAR president. Mrs. Roosevelt told her readers of her daily column that in this situation, “To remain as a member implies approval of that action, therefore I am resigning.”

 

View of 75,000 people gathered to hear recital by Marian Anderson at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Easter Sunday, April 9, 1939
(National Archives, Still Picture Branch, 306-NT-965B-4 )

Sketch of the 1939 Lincoln Memorial Concert drawn by artist Mitchell Jamieson for his mural in the Interior Department Building, Washington, DC.

See a rough draft of Eleanor's news column speaking about the DAR here.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this stroll through a little piece of history. As you may have realized these two women have been extremely influential in multiple aspects. Eleanor Roosevelt is arguably the most influential first lady in history and her efforts to expel civil injustices has had rippling effects that spill over into even today. Marian Anderson crushed cultural boundaries and united people pf all races with her melodious voice and pride in her talent. Both women effected the others cause in positive manors and the singing at the Lincoln memorial that Easter Sunday was just one small example of what can happen through a few simple decisions. The aim of this exhibit was to show how history can intertwine and effect change without people realizing it. Thank you for your interest and please feel free to further your interest through perusing some of these links and learning more aout these two amazing women of history.

Click Here to be taken to the official FDR museum website