March 17 – A Power Couple Weds

nPostednon March 17, 2015

nTheynwere young—just 23 and 20 years old. They were distant cousins, sonthey already had the same last name. They both admired the Presidentnof the United States, who was also related to both of them, and whonalso shared their last name.

nAndnthey became important, and influential, and powerful, each separatenand together.

nOnnthis date in 1905, Franklin D. Roosevelt married Eleanor Roosevelt.nPresident Teddy Roosevelt walked the bride down the aisle.

n(Eleanornwas an orphan.)

nTheynwere born to wealthy families, but they did so much more,naccomplished so much more, and influenced their nation and the wholenworld so much more than most people who are born to wealth.

nHere’sna teeny glimpse of just SOME of their accomplishments:

n FDRn was the longest-serving president in the history of the U.S.; he wonn a record four elections (although his last term was cut short by hisn death).

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n FDRn was stricken with polio and lost the use of his legs; he worked withn a Georgia spa and resort called Warm Springs to turn it into an center for the aid of polio victims.

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n FDRn also served as Governor of New York, as Assistant Secretary of then Navy, and as a state senator in New York.

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n FDRn was president during the Great Depression and during World War II;n his “New Deal” policies and wartime leadership helped shape then country and the world.

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n Eleanorn was the longest-serving “First Lady” and shaped the role of then position.

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n Eleanorn did a lot of public service, advocating for women’s rights, civiln rights for racial minorities, and even starting an experimentaln community for unemployed miners.

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n Eleanorn was the first “First Lady” to hold press conferences, write an newspaper column, and speak at a national convention.

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n Eleanorn became one of the United Nations’ first delegates and chaired then Presidential Commission on the Status of Women for then-Presidentn John F. Kennedy.

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