In this issue: "The Prescient Life of Ida B. Wells", a Conversation with Paula J. Giddings; the Next Installment in our Seeds of Change Short Film Series; the Hudson Valley History Reading Festival; Eleanor Roosevelt in the Pacific Theater; A Woman's War #TheArtOfWar; First Lady of the Struggle.
Author Paula J. Giddings examines Ida B. Wells, a crusading journalist and pioneer in the fights for women’s suffrage and against segregation and lynchings. A conversation with FDR Library Director William Harris. The event will be held in the Henry A. Wallace Center at 6:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.
Free public event. Registration is required. CLICK HEREto register.
By engaging with the African American community in a way the President would not, Eleanor Roosevelt helped bring Black voices into the White House and the Administration in ways that profoundly impacted civil rights at home and human rights internationally. This segment of the FDR Library’s Seeds of Change series introduces Mrs. Roosevelt’s role in the movement.
The Roosevelt Library and the Friends of the Poughkeepsie Public Library District will host the annual Hudson Valley History Reading Festival.
In four sessions, beginning at 10:00 a.m., authors of books on Hudson Valley history – including Susan Stessin-Cohn and Robert & Johanna Titus – will present author talks followed by book signings in the Wallace Center. The event will be held in the Henry A. Wallace Center at 10:00 a.m. ET on Saturday, April 20, 2024.
FDR Library Director William Harris and author Shannon McKenna Schmidt, talk about The First Lady of World War II – The first book to tell the full story of Eleanor Roosevelt's unprecedented and courageous trip to the Pacific Theater.
(Originally broadcast March 15, 2023; 39:21 minutes)
Shannon McKenna Schmidt is the author of several books and has written for National Geographic Traveler, Shelf Awareness, and Arrive magazines, as well as NPR.
Personnel shortages led the military to enlist more than 300,000 women volunteers during World War II, and over 150,000 served in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC/WACC). Posters such as this one featuring the Greek goddess of war Pallas Athene encouraged women to join up.
Much of the success of the Black Cabinet was due to the influence of its leader, Mary McLeod Bethune. In 1936, FDR appointed Bethune as Director of the Division of Negro Affairs in the National Youth Administration (NYA).
Mary McLeod Bethune was a friend and confidante of Eleanor Roosevelt, and FDR held her in high regard. She used her unique connection to the Roosevelts to bring race-related issues directly to the President.
"Whatever our individual circumstances or opportunities, we are all in it, and our spirit is good... and do not let anyone tell you anything different." FDR, Oct 12, 1942, fireside chat.
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