Both Sides Now

Today is the birthday of a favorite singer as well as the anniversary of the death of a favorite first lady, who was an inspiration to women in politics.

Shaun Mullen of Kiko's House writes a touching essay on Eleanor Roosevelt: An Appreciation. Born October 11, 1884, see She Never Cursed the Dark, she died 45 years ago today. As he observes:

Roosevelt, who died 45 years ago today, was the first First Lady in the modern mold, which is to say not merely an obedient wife and smiling hostess at White House functions, but a hands-on presidential helpmate and a force in her own right. In fact, she was one of the most powerful influences in civil and women's rights during the four decades that straddled the middle of the last century, something that no First Lady – including Mrs. Clinton – can claim.

* * * *

Eleanor Roosevelt did not consider herself to be a feminist. That is incidental to her life story as it should be to Hillary Clinton's. Or for that matter any other woman in the public arena who should be judged for her accomplishments, not her gender. Be that as it may, I happen to believe that Roosevelt was a classic feminist:

A woman who insisted on having a life in addition to her husband's.

A woman who was able to turn her vulnerabilities into strengths.

A woman whose inner beauty shined through her physical self.

And a woman who was a powerful advocate for social justice to whom we all owe an enormous debt.

See also, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Eleanor Roosevelt, who noted that she was America's most influential First Lady who blazed paths for women and led the battle for social justice everywhere. For a local connection, she was also involved with the American Friends Service Committee related to the plight of miners in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The Eleanor Roosevelt Connection.

And for a little bit of Both Sides Now is Joni Mitchell, who was born on this day in 1943.

Tags: Music Video, Eleanor Roosevelt, Joni Mitchell