Eleanor Roosevelt: 1921-1932

Eleanor Roosevelt: 1921-1932

1921	Nurses FDR after he is stricken with polio Defying Sara, encourages his ambition to return to public life Mobilizes Dutchess County Democratic women Supports the World Court Meets Esther Lape and Elizabeth Read Writes "Common Sense Versus Party Regularity," her first article
1922	Joins the Women's Trade Union League and works closely with WTUL activists Rose Schneiderman and Maud Swartz � Joins the Women's Division of the Democratic State Committee and begins association with Democratic activists Marion Dickerman and Nancy Cook� � Leads Dutchess County delegation to state Democratic convention� � Campaigns for Al Smith; denounces N.Y. Republican Gov. Nathan Miller as a reactionary � Fails to get Resolutions Committee of national Democratic convention to arrange hearings on child labor amendment
1923	With Esther Lape organizes and co-chairs Bok Peace Prize Committee � Writes "Why I Am a Democrat"
1924	Organizes Democratic women across New York state � Spearheads successful fight against Tammany Hall when bosses reject slate of women delegates chosen by women's committee � Leads women's delegation to the state Democratic convention and chairs women's platform committee � Joins Women's City Club and is elected to Board of Directors � Lobbies for equal pay for women and child labor amendment � Campaigns against Republican gubernatorial candidate, her cousin Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., linking him to Teapot Dome scandal � Organizes Democratic women to support Al Smith in his successful bid for governor FBI begins file on ER
1925	Builds Val-Kill Cottage in Hyde Park with Dickerman, Cook, and Caroline O'Day � Co-founds the Val-Kill furniture factory with Dickerman and Cook � Testifies before state legislature on shorter hours for women and child workers � Makes radio debut promoting Women's City Club agenda � Becomes editor of Women's Democratic News
1926	Purchases (with Dickerman and Cook) The Todhunter School for Girls where she teaches history and government � Pickets with WTUL and is charged with disorderly conduct � Fights for child labor amendment and safe housing � Chairs Women's City Club legislative committee � Campaigns for Robert Wagner for U.S. Senate � Begins statewide lecture tour (which will last in various purviews until 1962)
1927	Begins lifelong with friendship Mary McLeod Bethune, educator and civil rights activist � Hosts meeting in support of Kellogg-Briand Treaty � Begins working with women peace activists and Carrie Chapman Catt � Writes "What I Want Out of Life"
1928	With Molly Dewson, directs Bureau of Women's Activities, Democratic National Committee � Heads women's activities for Al Smith presidential campaign Helps Al Smith convince FDR to run for governor � Helps secure Frances Perkins' appointment as New York state commissioner of industrial relations � Resigns Women's City Club and other political positions after FDR becomes governor, but agrees to speak for Club on "Women in Politics" aired over NBC radio Writes "Women Must Learn to Play the Game as Men Do"
1929	Becomes first lady of New York Convinces FDR not to retain Al Smith's aides Belle Moskowitz and Bob Moses � Earl Miller becomes her bodyguard after she refuses secret service protection � Hires Malvina (Tommy) Thompson to be her secretary, a position Tommy will hold until her death in 1953� Divides her time between Todhunter, the state capitol, and party activism � Collaborates closely with Louis Howe � Begins inspecting state institutions � Stock market crashes � Resigns from Women's Democratic News but continues, covertly, as editor
1930	Defends David Dubinsky and supports ILGWU strike against Fifth avenue dressmakers � Acts as WTUL surrogate in Albany on legislation supporting five day work week � Convinces FDR to overhaul Public Employment Service
1931	FDR decides to run for President Co-coordinates Women's Division activities for Friends of Roosevelt � Helps prepare campaign biographies of FDR � Expands lecture tour from New England to South and West Writes "Building Character"
1932	Acts as liaison between Farley and Howe, mediating campaign staff rivalries Democrats nominate FDR for President Crisscrosses state campaigning for gubernatorial candidate Herbert Lehman and does some national campaigning for FDR FDR wins presidential election States she will not be a symbol of elegance but rather "plain, ordinary Mrs. Roosevelt" Tells press that if she had not been married to FDR that she would have voted for Norman Thomas Begins lifelong friendship with journalist Lorena Hickok Delivers twelve radio commentaries for commercial radio Writes "Ten Rules for Success in Marriage," and When You Grow Up to Vote Edits Hunting Big Game in the Eighties: The Letters of Elliott Roosevelt, Sportsman and the magazine "Babies, Just Babies"