Eleanor Roosevelt would use her courage and negotiation skills to avoid war if she were alive today, said Allida Black, director and editor of ‘The Eleanor Roosevelt Papers,’ during a discussion about the lives of Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy at the JFK Library yesterday.
Joining Black in the discussion was also Lawrence Fuchs, a professor at Brandeis University who has worked under Kennedy and co-taught a class with Roosevelt. The discussion was attended by more than 100 people, mostly senior citizens who were alive during the politicians’ influential years.
Along with remembering the squabbles between the two political figures, the speakers recognized the need for an influential politician that would eloquently speak out against the war as Kennedy or Roosevelt would likely do if they were alive today.
‘We are all searching for someone right now,’ Black said. ‘There is no real strong voice that TV people will go to after the president’s speech [about the war] tonight that will have a different view.’
Fuchs agreed that Roosevelt would likely call for action and fearlessly speak up, saying that ‘staying aloof is not a solution’ to today’s predicament.
The audience cheered as Black said she wished she could ‘bring [her] country back’ to a time when Roosevelt had such a dramatic impact on world issues, such as civil and women’s rights. She said today’s situation and the escalation of rhetoric among political leaders ‘would break Eleanor Roosevelt’s heart.’
The speakers also remembered the Roosevelt’s influence as a first lady, at the United Nations, and on Kennedy’s political career.
‘She was a masterful leader, and was incredibly devoted to everything she did,’ said Fuchs.
Roosevelt had a condescending relationship with Kennedy, since she was involved in politics long before Kennedy ran for president, according to Black.
‘She would call him ‘my dear boy’ and ‘son’ when addressing him,’ Black said.
Roosevelt also pushed Kennedy toward putting women in his cabinet and helped him win the black vote, especially in Illinois.
‘She worked 20 hours a day at 76 years old to push people to elect Jack Kennedy,’ Black said.
Fuchs said her dedication was not exclusive to her political life.
‘She was a very devoted teacher,’ said Fuchs. ‘She never missed a class.’
Fuchs remembered a time when he and Roosevelt were having dinner that he thought encompassed her personality.
‘I was getting ready to cut an apple pie when she [Roosevelt] took it from me she then said ‘Haven’t you learned by now, I love to serve’,’ Fuchs said. ‘She then cut the apple pie for me.’
Audience member Jane Denovan said she thinks America needs such a figure today.
‘We need a strong vocal person to lead us,’ Denovan said.
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