Social Work

Introduction

Eleanor Roosevelt is arguably the most influential First Lady the United States has ever had . She spent twelve years in the position of First Lady (1933-1945 , but she spent almost her entire life (1884-1962 ) as an advocate for social causes . She defined for herself an image that was independent of that which is considered the typical First Lady . She brought her own skills and her own interests to the role and used her platform to further her goals to serve the nation and the world . She proved very innovative , resourceful , and

humanitarian , and her influence has reached far beyond many who have filled similar positions . Eleanor Roosevelt was a social activist , a humanitarian , and a woman of groundbreaking ideas . She served the interests of repressed African Americans and fought for the freedom of women . She spoke out regarding the injustices being done to the Jews in the Holocaust , and she sought better social conditions for the poor and underprivileged around the world . This former president 's wife held many influential offices , and even acted influentially within the United Nations on the behalf of the United States and the citizens of the world . Her influence has therefore been far reaching as well as enduring

Social Problems

Eleanor Roosevelt , wife of former president Franklin Delano Roosevelt regarded a number of social conditions as being in dire need of reformation . Indeed , she proved a catalyst for much of the progress made during the Progressive Era . The progressive policies of this era had to do with social policies that granted increased privileges to many who were once marginalized in society . These included women , the working class , African Americans and other minorities , and even children . During the years before her husband 's presidency , women had not yet gained the right to vote . Women were treated as second class citizens who were not equal to men . Seeing this as an injustice being faced by a class of citizens who possessed all the mental faculties necessary to make educated choices at the ballot , Eleanor Roosevelt dedicated her time to furthering the cause of women 's suffrage

Eleanor Roosevelt was also very concerned with the issues of race relations , and especially the treatment of African Americans . She sought equality for this oppressed race , advocating the integration of communities , schools , military , and other social areas . She wrote , We must show by our behavior that we believe in equality and justice and that our religion teaches faith and love and charity to our fellow men Here is where each of us has a job to do that must be done at home because we can lose the battle on the soil of the United States just as surely as we can lose it in any one of the countries of the world (Roosevelt , 1953 ,

. 228 . She fought for the integration of schools and other public places . She was also involved in the integrating of many neighborhoods , including the Sojourner Truth Project in Detroit , which housed many African Americans...