A POLITICAL WOMAN

Encouraged by Louis Howe, political advisor and friend of the Roosevelts, Eleanor began her political career by speaking for her husband. She would keep his name alive in politics as he worked hard to recover from polio. As she spoke for him at various meetings and events, she developed contacts and political savvy of her own. She traveled with Franklin, who taught her to inspect and investigate programs and institutions. This skill would prove invaluable to Eleanor in later years, as she traveled the country and sent reports to Franklin about New Deal programs.

During the 1920's Eleanor embarked on many ventures of her own. She joined groups, such as the League of Women Voters and the Women's Joint Legislative Conference, and campaigned for women's rights, better working conditions, and other social issues. She enrolled in courses and made new friends. She started the Val-Kill partnership with friends Nancy Cook, Marion Dickerman and Caroline O'Day. Franklin had Val-Kill, a house near Hyde Park, built to provide Eleanor with a place of her own, in homage to her developing independence. The Val-Kill partnership included the Val-Kill furniture factory, the Women's Democratic News, which Eleanor edited, and the Todhunter School, where Eleanor taught. She became widely known in both national and state Democratic Party circles.

Perhaps the most important development in the 1920's, aside from Eleanor's entry into politics, was personal. Eleanor progressed from the shy, timid child and the quiet society matron into a confident woman. In the political realm, she possessed assurance, and, ultimately, power.