The Franklin D. Roosevelt
Presidential Library and Museum
presents a conversation with
award-winning authors
Marie Benedict and
Victoria Christopher Murray
on their novel, THE FIRST LADIES
Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at 6PM
In-person: Wallace Center at the
FDR Presidential Library and Home
Online: Streamed live to
the official FDR Library
YouTube and Facebook accounts
HYDE PARK, NY -- The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum presents a conversation with award-winning authors Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray on their novel, THE FIRST LADIES, Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. The event will be held in the Henry A. Wallace Center at the FDR Presidential Library and Home and streamed live to the official FDR Presidential Library YouTube and Facebook accounts. This is a free public event, but registration is required to attend in-person. CLICK HERE to register.
Registered attendees can visit the Library's special exhibition, BLACK AMERICANS, CIVIL RIGHTS, AND THE ROOSEVELTS, free of charge before the program, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
THE FIRST LADIES is a novel about the partnership between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune -- an unlikely friendship that changed the world -- from New York Times bestselling authors of THE PERSONAL LIBRARIAN, Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray.
Synopsis:
The daughter of formerly enslaved parents, Mary McLeod Bethune refuses to back down as white supremacists attempt to thwart her work. She marches on as an activist and an educator, and as her reputation grows she becomes a celebrity, revered by titans of business and recognized by U.S. Presidents. Eleanor Roosevelt herself is awestruck and eager to make her acquaintance. Initially drawn together because of their shared belief in women’s rights and the power of education, Mary and Eleanor become fast friends, confiding their secrets, hopes, and dreams -- and holding each other’s hands through tragedy and triumph.
When Franklin Delano Roosevelt is elected president, the two women begin to collaborate more closely, particularly as Eleanor moves toward her own agenda separate from FDR's, a consequence of the devastating discovery of her husband’s secret love affair. Eleanor becomes a controversial First Lady for her outspokenness, particularly on civil rights. And when she receives threats because of her strong ties to Mary, they only fuel the women’s desire to fight together for justice and equality.
This is the story of two different yet equally formidable, passionate, and committed women, and the way in which their singular friendship helped form the foundation for the modern civil rights movement.
Marie Benedict is a lawyer and a graduate of Boston College and the Boston University School of Law. She is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of THE MITFORD AFFAIR, HER HIDDEN GENIUS, THE MYSTERY OF MRS. CHRISTIE, THE ONLY WOMAN IN THE ROOM, CARNEGIE'S MAID, THE OTHER EINSTEIN, and LADY CLEMENTINE.
Victoria Christopher Murray is one of the country's top Black contemporary authors. Her novels include the SEVEN DEADLY SINS series and STAND YOUR GROUND. She holds an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business.
Please contact Cliff Laube at (845) 486-7745 with questions about the display.
