Eleanor Roosevelt lived by the words she spoke when she said "If anyone were to ask me what I want out of life I would say the opportunity for doing something useful, for no other way I am convinced, can true happiness be obtained". (qtd. in Weisen, 1992).
Far more then "useful", ER was remarkable in every sense of the word. Before she came to the White House events such as her visiting Scots Run or the Dust Bowl were unthinkable. Previous first ladies had been seen, not heard and acted officially only as hostesses, never involving themselves politically in the affairs of the government. ER shattered the mold of the first lady and reshaped that role by actively involving herself in all aspects of social reform. .
ER was the first woman to hold press conferences, speak in front of a national convention, earn money as a lecturer and write a national column. She was also the first wife of a President to travel thousands of miles by plane and act as a trusted observer and reporter for her husband. (Macleish, 1965).
When FDR was paralyzed by Polio in 1921, he counted on ER to be his "eyes and ears" and to bring the problems of the nation home to the White House for government review. In 1933 alone ER covered over 40,000 miles, actively investigating issues that other politicians never dealt with (Roosevelt, 1958). Her first hand experiences of those in need furthered her humanitarian efforts and encouraged her to take an even stronger position in social reform.
ER was more accessible to the public then any other First Lady and created a feeling among the people that someone in high office actually cared about their condition. ER naturally took the side of the underdog and through radio broadcasts and letters began to feel like a friend to the American public. .
ER received many letters asking for financial assistance or to buy handmade knitting or quilts from the poor. Although she could not help in this way, she always replied, letting the people know she was indeed working for them and they were not forgotten.
