I am sick and tired of the "seen and not heard" First Ladies. We need more First Ladies like Eleanor Roosevelt.
Mrs. Roosevelt was an activist. When African American Opera Singer Marion Anderson was refused access to Constitution Hall by the DAR, Mrs. Roosevelt resigend and assited in organizing her concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial (my thanks to MyBrainWorks for the correction), she lobbied her husband to desegregate the military during WWII, wrote a news column, which garnered her enemies.
She also broke precedent to hold press conferences, travel to all parts of the country, give lectures and radio broadcasts, and express her opinions candidly in a daily syndicated newspaper column, "My Day."
This made her a tempting target for political enemies but her integrity, her graciousness, and her sincerity of purpose endeared her personally to many--from heads of state to servicemen she visited abroad during World War II. As she had written wistfully at 14: "...no matter how plain a woman may be if truth & loyalty are stamped upon her face all will be attracted to her...."
http://www.whitehouse.gov/...
She was a hero to my Grandmother. She should be a role model to all women and men on the Power on human being can have on the world. Today, her ideas would never have been taken seriously - she was after all a woman. She was oneof the Founders of UNICEF, received more than 30 Honorary Doctorates, wes awarded the UN Human Rights Prize. a mere woman. but of course, there would be whispers of Lesbianism today. Would you want her to remain quiet?
And here, we "Progressives" are telling Elizabeth Edwards to shut up because she's "too vocally active"?
Here is a wife, a mother standing up to a freaking wingnut who had just called for "in jest" the assassination of her husband. and you want her to shut it?
Coulter accused Edwards of bankrupting doctors so they couldn't deliver babies. and Elizabeth is to stay quiet?
For my money, no way.
That doesn't sound either Progressive or smart..
"You get more joy out of the giving to others, and should put a good deal of thought into the happiness you are able to give."- Eleanor Roosevelt