Anna Eleanor Roosevelt orphaned at the age of nine, discovered the majestic Hudson Valley thanks to her maternal grandmother. She became a skilled and lifelong horse rider. Attended boarding school near London. Graduated at the age of eighteen. The now beautiful, five-foot and eleven, blue eyed woman was not interested in living the life of a debutante, she chose to improve the lives of others. She was determined to make a change by helping the impoverished, deplorable living and working conditions.

Along with a friend, Mary Harriman Rumsey the women became involved and were active members of A Settlement House, helping to improve lives for workers, largely immigrant. They taught useful skills. Opened more and more houses in poor areas.

On the train from New York City to the Hudson Valley to see her grandmother in Tivoli, she met a fellow traveler, Harvard University student, Franklin Delano. And so a secret courtship began.

On March 17, 1905 she became

Mrs. Roosevelt. Together they raised six children. But in 1921, her husband was diagnosed with infantile paralysis. Eleanor took charge of his medical care. Serving as his nurse and never leaving his side. With a busy schedule and a deep desire to help others, Eleanor began sharing her responsibilities with Marguerite LeHand.

She became V.P of The Women’s City Club of New York, City Planning chair, Finance Committee chair, an organization that kept women informed of political issues. Launched her own career in radio and broadcasts. Many subjects such as low income housing, access to birth control, child labor laws, worker’s compensation, and protective measures for working women. She also began writing for the League of Women Voters of New York State’s newsletter, News Bulletin. Her byline appeared in numerous publications! And she’s just getting started. In 1927 she along with two other women, Marion Dickerman and Nancy Cook bought the Todhunter School for Girls, a finishing school which offered college preparatory courses, in NYC. She had power, a voice and she knew when to used it! When large publications wanted to cover a White House press conference they had to observe her rules – employ female reporters or don’t show up!!