"WE ARE IN A FULL-FLEDGED RECESSION"

ELEANOR WANTS JFK TO SPEAK TO THE NATION ABOUT INFLATION

New York City (JFK+50) In her "My Day" column of February 13, 1961, Eleanor Roosevelt wrote that President John F. Kennedy's labor secretary, Arthur J. Goldberg*, said we "are in a full-fledged (economic) recession" and called on government, business and labor to work together to end it.

Mrs. Roosevelt asked President Kennedy to "speak to the nation, explaining the real causes and the importance of avoiding inflation, but the need...for taking...action."

The 'First Lady of the World' wrote that a recent newspaper photograph of men at an unemployment center in Chicago reminded her of the drawing hanging in her cottage at Hyde Park of "unemployed youth sitting on a bench" during the Great Depression. 

*Arthur Joseph Goldberg (1908-1990) was born in Chicago & graduated from Northwestern University School of Law (1930).

AJG served in the OSS during WWII & after his tenure as Secretary of Labor was a justice on the U.S. Supreme Court and U.N. Ambassador.

JFK+50 NOTE

President Kennedy spoke to the Nation as ER counseled on May 25, 1961.  In his address to Congress, JFK said...

"The recession has been halted.  Recovery is underway."  

SOURCE

"My Day, February 13, 1961," by Eleanor Roosevelt, The Eleanor Roosevelt Papers, Digital Edition, www2.gwu.edu/

 

 

Arthur J. Goldberg

July 26 1965

Online Photo Archive Search

 

"ONE MUST HAVE AN OPTIMISTIC DISPOSITION"

ELEANOR'S ADVICE FOR THE PRESIDENT-ELECT

New York City (JFK+50) First Lady of the World Eleanor Roosevelt* wrote...

"As the day (of the inauguration) approaches, the weight of the responsibility he will carry must grow heavier and heavier.  If he has the right temperament for the job, he feels confident of being able to face problems and...find solutions."

Mrs. Roosevelt continued...

"One must have confidence in oneself, trust in God, and (an) optimistic disposition."

Just as her words are applicable to her husband, Franklin D. Roosevelt, we hope,pray and expect that they are applicable to Joseph R. Biden who will become the 46th President of the United States at noon tomorrow.  

*Anna Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) was born in New York City & served as First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945 making her the longest-serving First Lady in U.S. history.

AER's syndicated newspaper column "My Day" was published from Dec 31 1935 to Sept 26 1962. 

 SOURCE

"My Day:  January 18, 1961," by Eleanor Roosevelt, The Eleanor Roosevelt Papers Digital Edition, 2017, www2.gwu.edu/

 

 

 

President-elect John F. Kennedy & Eleanor Roosevelt

New York City

Oct 11 1960

NARA/FDR Library Photo

 

"ONE MUST HAVE CONFIDENCE IN ONESELF, TRUST IN GOD, & AN OPTIMISTIC DISPOSITION"

ELEANOR ROOSEVELT DESCRIBES PRESIDENT-ELECT

New York City (JFK+50) In her "My Day" column of January 18, 1961, former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt* gave her description of the President-elect of the United States.  She wrote...

"As the day approaches, the weight of the responsibility he will carry must grow heavier and heavier.  If he has the right temperament for the job, he feels confident of being able to face...problems and...find solutions."

Mrs. Roosevelt continued... 

"One must have confidence in oneself, trust in God, and (an) optimistic disposition."

In the humble opinion of JFK+50, Eleanor Roosevelt described President-elect John F. Kennedy perfectly.

JFK+50 NOTE

In this same column, Mrs. Roosevelt wrote that the weather predictions for January 20, 1961 promised "clearing skies in the East," so she was hopeful for a "good day" for the inauguration.  As it turned out, there was a massive snow storm in Washington, D.C. on January 19, 1961.  Inauguration Day did have clear skies, but also a great deal of snow on the ground and bitterly cold temperatures.

*Anna Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) was born in New York City and served as First Lady of the United States (1933-1945).  AER was U.S. delegate to the United Nations (1945-1952) & earned the nickname "First Lady of the World." 

SOURCE

Eleanor Roosevelt, "My Day, January 18, 1961," The Eleanor Roosevelt Papers Digital Edition (2017), www2.gwu.edu/
 

JFK & ER

New York City

October 11, 1960

NARA/FDR Library Photo

"WE TRUST A PRESIDENT WHO WANTS TO GIVE US A BETTER LIFE"

IN JFK WE SHOULD TRUST SAYS ELEANOR ROOSEVELT

Castine, Maine* (JFK+50)  On November 10, 1960, the day following the declaration of the winner of the presidential election, Eleanor Roosevelt wrote in her "My Day" column that Americans must trust their new President-elect, Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts.

Mrs. Roosevelt writes...

"We, in the United States are the leaders, & if we have courage to face the world situation--to trust a President who wants to give us at home a better life but knows that this can only be valid if at the same time we meet the Communist challenge--then we may be able to save ourselves & the world.

The President-elect will need all the youth & energy & health...to meet the problems & I think Mr. Kennedy will be able to carry out his pledge to 'the long range interests of the United States & the cause of freedom around the world.'"

*Castine, located in south central Maine on the Penobscot Bay, is the home of the Marine Maritime Academy which trains officers for the US Merchant Marine & was established in 1941.

                            Main Street
                         Castine, Maine
Photo by Masonbarge at en.wikipedia

"FIRST LADY OF THE WORLD"

ELEANOR ROOSEVELT'S BIRTHDAY

New York City (JFK+50) Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, the future First Lady of the United States and "First Lady of the World," was born on October 11, 1884 in Manhattan at 56 West 37th Street.   She was the daughter of Elliott Roosevelt and Anna Hall and also the niece of Theodore Roosevelt.

In a White House biography, Eleanor is described as "a shy, awkward child starved for recognition and love."  Another source says that Anna Hall Roosevelt, who was considered a "great beauty," was critical of Eleanor's "plain looks."

In 1892, after her mother's death, Eleanor lived with her grandmother. Two years later, Elliott Roosevelt passed away.  From 1899 to 1902, Eleanor attended Allenswood Academy* in London. 

The private school for young ladies of wealthy families was led by Headmistress Marie Souvestre who emphasized history, geography, literature as well as the importance of direct inquiry & free thinking.

When Eleanor returned to New York to make her debut in society, she met Franklin D. Roosevelt and the rest is history.

*Allenswood Academy is located in Southfields (SW London) near Wimbledon.  Three rules of the academy which Eleanor thought  'silly' were:
only 3 baths a week at no more than 10 minutes each, confess to the use of a single word of English before entering the dining hall, and be subjected to having the contents of one's dresser dumped on your bed for punishment.

Eleanor Roosevelt Statue
FDR Memorial
Washington, D.C.
Photo by John White (2003)

"HER VOICE WAS A RICH, VIBRANT CONTRALTO OF INTRINSIC BEAUTY"

MARIAN ANDERSON GIVES FREE CONCERT AT LINCOLN MEMORIAL

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On April 9, 1939, African-American contralto Marian Anderson* gave a free concert at the Lincoln Memorial, here in the Nation's Capital.

Miss Anderson was originally scheduled to perform at Constitution Hall but the concert was cancelled by the Daughters of the American Revolution.  First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt resigned from the DAR in protest and arranged for Anderson to sing at the Lincoln Memorial.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower made Marian Anderson an honorary delegate to the United Nations.  Miss Anderson was invited by John F. Kennedy to sing the National Anthem at his inauguration on January 20, 1961.  Marian was later awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by JFK.

Music critic Alan Blyth wrote..."Her voice was a rich, vibrant contralto of intrinsic beauty."

*Marian Anderson (1897-1993) was born in Philadelphia & performed in church choir from the age of 6.  MA graduated from South Philadelphia High School in 1921 & won a NY Philharmonic competition in 1925.  She made her European debut in London in 1933 & gave 70 recitals each year in the late 1930s.

Marian Anderson Sings

Lincoln Memorial 

Washington, D.C.

April 9, 1939 

ORGANIZED LABOR WOULD BENEFIT FROM USING DIFFERENT WORDS

ELEANOR ROOSEVELT WRITES ABOUT THE CLOSED SHOP

New York (JFK+50) On January 29, 1947, former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt wrote about the "closed shop*" in her "My Day" newspaper column.  Mrs. Roosevelt's reference was a recent speech by Edward L. Bernays** in which he argued that organized labor would benefit from using "different words," such as the closed shop.

Mrs. Roosevelt writes that to the "uninitiated" the term closed shop often means "controlled" where as in reality it represents an agreement between the employer and the union.

The former First Lady emphasized that while the closed shop was not necessary where a union was strong, a weak union relied on the closed shop for its security.

*Closed shop is a work place where membership in a union is a requirement for being hired as well as for continued employment.

**Edward L. Bernays (1891-1995) was born in Vienna, Austria.  His uncle was Sigmund Freud.  ELB was a graduate of Cornell University and became an American pioneer in the field of public relations.  He is known as the father of Public Relations.

JFK+50 NOTE:

My Dad and Mother, Roy and Mavis White, were married 72 years ago today, January 29, 1947.  Roy, a World War II veteran, is 95 years old & Mavis, born in Sydney, Australia, is 93.  Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

SOURCE

"My Day:  January 29, 1947," by Eleanor Roosevelt, www.gwu.edu/

Roy & Mavis (Green) White

Wedding Day

January 29, 1947

Chattanooga, Tennessee

"A DAY TO WIPE OUT OF OUR MEMORIES ALL THAT WAS BAD"

ELEANOR ROOSEVELT'S ADVICE FOR NEW YEAR'S DAY 1960

New York City (JFK+50) Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt offered some timely advice in her "My Day" column for January 1, 1960.  Mrs. Roosevelt, who wrote the column on New Year's Eve, described New Year's Day as a...

"day to wipe out of our memories all that was bad in the past year."

She added, however, that...

"we must strive to keep alive that which was good and which will be helpful."

Mrs. Roosevelt also wrote about the hope that the Soviets would agree to nuclear weapons inspections in the coming year.  She wrote...

"If the Soviets are convinced they can win a communist world without war, I think we may find them agreeing to inspections."

As far as the United States, however, she advised that we ...

"work to set our personal and national house in order." 

SOURCE

"My Day," by Eleanor Roosevelt, January 1, 1960.

JFK & Eleanor Roosevelt
New York City
October 11 1960
NARA Photo

A LIBERAL WHO ADVOCATED JUDICIAL RESTRAINT

ELEANOR ROOSEVELT TALKS ABOUT THE FRANKFURTER RESIGNATION

New York City(JFK+50) On August 31, 1962, former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt discussed the resignation of Justice Felix Frankfurter* from the United States Supreme Court.

Mrs. Roosevelt wrote that despite the fact that her husband, Franklin, had appointed Mr. Frankfurter to the Court "as a liberal," she often disagreed with his decisions  yet "always admired and respected him."

Justice Frankfurter was replaced by Arthur Goldberg who had first served as JFK's Secretary of Labor.

A quote attributed to the Justice is...

"The real rulers in Washington are invisible and exercise power behind the scenes."

*Felix Frankfurter (1882-1965) was born in Vienna, Austria & emigrated to the U.S. at age 12.  He was a graduate of the College of New York, New York Law School & Harvard Law School.  During WWI, FF served as Judge Advocate General & after the war supported the League of Nations.

FF was a co-founder of the American Civil Liberties Union & as an associate justice of the USSC he advocated "judicial restraint."  He did not support the interpretation of the Constitution in such a way to restrain the Executive and Legislative branches.

SOURCE

Eleanor Roosevelt Papers, August 31, 1962, Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, www.erpapers.columbian.gwu.edu/

Justice Felix Frankfurter

Harris & Ewing Photo

Library of Congress Image

THE D.A.R. FAILED TO LEAD IN AN ENLIGHTENED WAY

MARIAN ANDERSON SINGS IN THE SHADOW OF LINCOLN

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On April 9, 1939, African-American contralto Marian Anderson* gave a free concert on Easter Sunday at the Lincoln Memorial here in the Nation's Capital.

Miss Anderson was originally scheduled to perform at Constitution Hall but the concert was cancelled by the Daughters of the American Revolution.  First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt resigned from the DAR in protest and arranged for Anderson to sing at the Lincoln Memorial.

Mrs. Roosevelt wrote...

"I am in complete disagreement (with your decision)...you had an opportunity to lead in an enlightened way and it seems...your organization has failed."

President Dwight D. Eisenhower made Marian Anderson an honorary delegate to the United Nations and President John F. Kennedy invited her to sing the National Anthem at his inaugural.

*Marian Anderson (1897-1993) was born in Philadelphia, PA & became the 1st African-American singer to perform as a member of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.  Miss Anderson sang in the East Room in 1962.

Marian Anderson Sings 

Lincoln Memorial

April 9, 1939

ELEANOR ROOSEVELT: AN INSPIRATION AND A FRIEND

JFK+50:  Volume 7, No. 2125

THE FIRST POWER FUNERAL FOR AN AMERICAN WOMAN

Hyde Park, New York (JFK+50) Eleanor Roosevelt requested a "quiet, unassuming memorial" but according to Marc Peyser and Timothy Dwyer of The Atlantic what she got was "the first power funeral for an American woman." 

She was most deserving of such a tribute because "No president's wife accomplished (more)...as a labor activist, civil rights foot soldier and best selling author."

The First Lady of the World was laid to rest 54 years ago today, November 10, 1962, in the rose garden of the Roosevelt estate here at Hyde Park beside her late husband, Franklin Delano Roosevelt.  The weather did not co-operate.  The day was cold, grey and raining.

Funeral services were held at St. James Church where the guest list of 250 included President and Mrs. John F. Kennedy, former presidents and first ladies, Mr. & Mrs. Harry S Truman and Mr. & Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Upon receiving news of Mrs. Roosevelt's death, the President issued the following statement...

"One of the great leaders in the history of this country has passed.  Her loss will be deeply felt by all those who admire her tireless idealism.  She has been an inspiration and a friend."

After FDR's death, Mrs. Roosevelt was appointed as a delegate to the United Nations.  She served in that capacity from 1945 to 1952 during which time she chaired a committee which issued "The Universal Declaration of Human Rights".

SOURCE

"Eleanor Roosevelt's Anything-but-Private Funeral," by Marc Peyser and Timothy Dwyer, The Atlantic, November 4, 2012, www.theatlantic.com/

Funeral Service of Eleanor Roosevelt

Hyde Park, NY

November 10, 1962

Photo by Abbie Rowe

JFK Library Image

Eleanor Roosevelt Statue

FDR Memorial

Washington, D.C.

Photo by John White (2003)

JOHN F. KENNEDY VS THE FIRST LADY OF THE WORLD

JFK+50:  Volume 6, No. 2028

ELEANOR ROOSEVELT ENDORSES KENNEDY-JOHNSON TICKET

Hyde Park, New York (JFK+50) Fifty-six years ago today, August 2, 1960, former First Lady and wife of one of the most popular presidents in United States history Eleanor Roosevelt gave her endorsement to the KENNEDY-JOHNSON Democratic ticket.

Mrs. Roosevelt had been reluctant to give her support to the young Massachusetts senator believing that he lacked true liberal credentials.  Before his election in November 1960, JFK's relationship with Mrs. Roosevelt was far from good. 

In an interview with ABC-TV in 1958, the former First Lady said that JFK's father "intended to buy the presidency for his son."  Senator Kennedy was not pleased.  He wrote Mrs. Roosevelt and told her she was "misinformed."  With continued urging, he managed to get her to agree to recognize the candidate's position was that the rumor was untrue.

Eleanor's first choice in 1960 was Adlai Stevenson of Illinois.  Senator Kennedy visited with Mrs. Roosevelt in August and she agreed to campaign for him but only if he would "involve Stevenson in the campaign in foreign policy issues," and when he became POTUS would establish a commission on the status of women.

When John F. Kennedy was sworn in as the 35th President of the United States on January 20, 1961, Eleanor was there.  She even rode in the inaugural parade.  When JFK signed the Executive Order creating the Peace Corps, Eleanor was a special guest.  In 1962, JFK nominated the former First Lady for a Nobel Prize.

SOURCES

"A Changed relationship?  Eleanor Roosevelt and President John F. Kennedy," www.historyisnowmagazine.com/

"Eleanor vs John F. Kennedy--The Back Story," by Elizabeth Deane, www.wgbh.org/

 Eleanor Roosevelt & JFK

Discuss the Peace Corps (1961)

FDR Library Photo

COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN

JFK SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER FOR COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Fifty-three years ago today, December 14, 1961, President John F. Kennedy signed Executive Order 10980 establishing the Interdepartmental Commission on the Status of Women and the Citizen's Council on the Status of Women.

The President's Commission on the Status of Women, composed of 26 members (15 women and 11 men), was headed by former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

      Mrs. Roosevelt and Frank Sinatra
                      Girl's Town Ball
                       March 12, 1960
                          NARA Photo

Some of the tasks of the Presidential commission included to review progress and make recommendations in...

--Employment policies and practices under Federal contracts
--Federal social insurance and tax laws as they impact women's income
--Federal and State labor laws dealing with hours, night work and wages
--Differences in legal treatment of men and women

Upon signing the order, JFK said...

"Women should not be considered a marginal group to be employed periodically only to be denied opportunities to satisfy their needs and aspirations."

The idea for the President's commission was presented by Esther Peterson*, Director of the Department of Labor Women's Bureau.  Mrs. Peterson became the Executive Vice-Chairman of the commission and assumed direction of the body after Mrs. Roosevelt's death in 1962.

On October 11, 1963, a statement was released by the White House which paid tribute to the contributions of Eleanor Roosevelt in the cause for women's equality.  It said that Mrs. Roosevelt's

"devotion to fuller realization of the abilities of women raised the status of women everywhere."

Prior to JFK's Executive Order, legislation aimed at protecting women's safety and freedom from exploitation had been used to either deny women employment or pay those hired a lower wage.

In October 1963, the Commission issued a report on "American Women in 1963" critical of the continued inequalities facing women in the United States and said that the work for women's equality in the workplace had just begun.

The work of the Commission was continued by the Association of Commissions of the Status of Women in 1975.  It became the National Association of Commissions for Women which is still active today.  Their website can be accessed as www.nacw.org/

*Esther Peterson (1906-1997) was a consumer and women's rights advocate.  She graduated from BYU and the Teacher's College of Columbia University and taught at the Winsor School in Boston.  

EP was the first lobbyist for the National Labor Relation's Board and served with her husband as a diplomat in Sweden.  She received the President's Medal of Freedom in 1981.

SOURCE

National Association of Commissions for Women, www.nacw.org/

JFK+50 NOTE

Our blog receives the most visitors from the United States.  The United Kingdom and Canada have the 2nd and 3rd most visitors worldwide.  In the past month, however, Germany, the Ukraine and China have come in behind the United States ranking 2nd, 3rd and 4th in that order.

We are very pleased to have visitors from all nations across the globe, but also are most gratified that the people of Germany, the Ukraine and China have shown such increasing interest in President Kennedy over the past month.

Thank you.

John White