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Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was to overcome many personal and public trials to become one of the most influential women of the 21st century.  Born into a privileged family, her childhood was marred by the death of both parents at a young age.  The feelings of inadequacy formed through her relationship with her mother would remain a constant internal battle for Eleanor whose childhood refused her any feelings of acceptance or real family identity.[3]  Eleanor perceived her often absent father as warm and loving; in reality the man was a diseased alcoholic of which would ultimately lead to his early death.  Neither parent nurtured the person Eleanor would become but the dysfunction apparent in her early years seeded a dedication in her to make the world a better place.

For Eleanor, transformation started at 15 years of age during her years at Allensbrook Academy where her leadership abilities and scholarly talents were recognized and encouraged.  For the first time in her life she felt accepted.  Eleanor credited Marie Souvestre, the founder of the Academy for forming both her character and her intellectual outlook.[2]   Eleanor had begun to find courage and conviction in her beliefs as she became teacher, leader, mentor and friend to her peers.  It was during this time that Eleanor realized the need to work collectively to make the necessary gains.  Her schooling at Allenbrooks led Eleanor to involvement in social services work in particular housing development which became her passion for the underprivileged in America.

Eleanor�s self-confidence grew but she still maintained the role of domesticity expected of women of her class in the early 1900�s.  At this stage in her life Eleanor believed men were superior creatures and women should not meddle in politics.

Eleanor�s marriage to Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1905 did nothing to change her attitude toward where her duty lay believing she could make no contribution on her own merit.  Her insecurities were still apparent and obligations imposed by her husbands� position heightened her shyness and reluctance to speak in public.

Life would again take a turn which would give Eleanor enough push to enter public life, she learns of the affair between her husband and Lucy Mercer. It was only in her latter years that in hindsight Eleanor would state �I could not at any age be content to take my place in a corner by the fireside and look on�
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References:
[1] The Eleanor Roosevelt Papers (1946).  The human rights years 1945-1962. Sourced 10 October 2006 .
[2] The Eleanor Roosevelt Papers (2003).Sourced 10 October 2006 .
[3] Womens History, Eleanor Roosevelt, A profile of her early years. Sourced 10 October 2006 .

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Sourced from The Timeline of Eleanor Roosevelt�s Life. www.pbs.org
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