When I was growing up, my parents’ spoke highly of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his wife, Eleanor. They were both born into wealthy and prominent families. Despite Mrs. Roosevelt’s wealth, she had a difficult childhood and was insecure because of her plain looks.
I bought Eleanor Roosevelt’s book “You Learn By Living-Eleven Keys For A More Fulfilling Life” at a yard sale. She offered advice on how to create a satisfying life. I found the book to be insightful, inspirational, and personable.
She married her fifth cousin, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in 1905. She was the longest serving first lady of the United States during her husband’s four terms as president (1933-1945). She was also viewed as one of the world’s most admired and powerful women.
After her husband’s affairs, their person relationship dissolved and she opted to have a political partnership with him. This was the beginning to developing her life and interests. In the book, she offered eleven keys for a more fulfilling life. These guidelines helped her during her adult life as well as a first lady.
The keys she described are:
Learning to Learn
Fear-the Greatest Enemy
The Uses of Time
The Difficult Art of Maturity
Readjustment is Endless
Learning to be Useful
The Right to be an Individual
How to Get the Best Out of People
Facing Responsibility
How Everyone Can Take Part in Politics
Learning to be a Public Servant
According to Wikipedia, Mrs. Roosevelt advocated for the expanded roles for women in the workplace, civil rights for Black and Asian Americans, and WWII refugees. After inspecting New Deal Programs in Southern States, she found they were discriminating against Black Americans because they received only a small share of relief money.
In 1945 she pressed the United States to join and support the United Nations and became its first delegate to the committee on Human Rights.
Reportedly, the F.B.I. Director, J. Edgar Hoover, despised her because of her stance on civil rights and liberalism.
It was rumored she had a romantic partner named Lorena Hickok. In the book, she described her as a friend who lived a dynamic life. She was a writer by profession. After Miss Hickok’s health failed due to crippling arthritis and diabetes, she invited her to Hyde Park, the Roosevelts historic home, to write.
After a few months, Miss Hickok moved into a little cabin and plunged into writing children’s books. Even with the use of only one hand and failing eyesight, she took her limitations in stride. This is one of the examples she used in explaining how Miss Hickok had taken her limitations in stride and readjusted to the changing conditions of life.
I believe we all learn by living. We must learn to prevail over obstacles we encounter. Mrs. Roosevelt was no plain Jane. According to The American National Biography, she was one of the most influential American women of the 20th century.
Francie Mae. April 12, 2006
References
Roosevelt, Eleanor. 1960. “You Learn By Living. Eleven Keys For A More Fulfilling Life.” Louisville, Kentucky. Westminster John Knox Press.
Wikipedia. Eleanor Roosevelt. Website. Accessed April 12, 2026.