“Eleanor and Hick: The Love Affair That Shaped a First Lady” by Susan Quinn.

This book describes the relationship that Eleanor Roosevelt had with the journalist Lorena Hickok. It’s a story about sharing. And about the need to be loved.

Eleanor married FDR in 1905. Without the help of his wife, FDR would never have become president.

Women in the U.S.A. began voting in 1920. Eleanor was 36 years old.

What I most admire about Eleanor is her fight for social justice and her belief that women were fundamental in this fight. She believed that a society could best protect itself by providing better nutrition, better housing, better medical care, better education, and better recreation for everyone.

Eleanor was fundamental in the writing and promotion of the Four Freedoms which were subsequently incorporated into the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These freedoms are: Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Want, Freedom from Fear. The main function of the UN is to maintain peace and security for its members. Are they effective? I wonder what Eleanor would say.

For her times, Eleanor had difficult ideals. But, she said, if we’re to live together, we have to talk. So to keep focused on the point, she learned to get cooler as she got angrier. Diplomacy often means self-discipline.

One must be responsible when creating their opinions but you can only learn by living. Having ideals is important because, as Eleanor said,  “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

I’m a believer

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