Robin

Gerber
Eleanor Roosevelt Scholar
301-717-2389
www.robingerber.com
robin@robingerber.com

1) How did Eleanor Roosevelts personality and character contribute to her

actions involving human rights?

She was a truly compassionate person. It was said of her that she couldnt pass a
starving person without giving them food.

2) What key aspects of Eleanors profile do you believe propelled her into
the role of a leader? What aspects do you believe held her back?

She was passionate about her causes, and persistent. She had clinical depression,
which held her back at times.

3) Do you believe that Eleanor became a leader under the shadow of FDR
or was her independence from him what made her renowned as a leader?

Both.

4) What do you think made Eleanor Roosevelt different from other First
Ladies? Did she change the role of a typical First Lady? Did she change life
at the White House?

She cared more about causes than the trappings of power and status.

5) How successful do you believe Eleanor Roosevelt was in her role as a

human rights activist?

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which she led the committee that
drafted and passed it, has been compared to the Magna Carta.

6) What kind of a person was Marie Souvestre to Eleanor Roosevelt? How

did Souvestres teachings later on shape Eleanor as the First Lady and a
public figure?

Souvestre changed a shy, scared, lonely, insecure girl into Eleanor.

7) Through the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and

her service as a UN delegate, Eleanor Roosevelt gained a large amount of
experience as an active member in society. How did this social and political

activity influence her viewpoints towards achieving a more diverse and

tolerant world?

She had gained much much much experience before she became a delegate, and
had traveled extensively.

8) What was the public opinion of Eleanor as a political and social activist?
As a person?

She was well-hated, as well as loved. The KKK had a price on her head.

9) Would you regard Eleanor Roosevelt as being a vanguard of the

womens rights movement during her time?

She didnt agree with passing the Equal Rights Amendment as she felt that it would
take rights away from women that they had won.

10) What characteristics made Eleanor a good candidate to hold the

position of chairman of Presidents Commission on the Status of Women
during Kennedys term?

She ran good meetings, and knew everyone who could help by that point in her life.

11) What do you believe Eleanors motivation was for writing letters to
people during the Great Depression as well as the soldiers and their
families during World War II?

She felt it was her duty and she was drawn to help suffering.

12) How did Eleanors turbulent childhood affect her personality and
relationships with those denied their rights?

It made her compassionate and understanding.

13) What legacy did Eleanor leave for her descendants?

To be active agents of change.