Lesson Number:
Lesson Title:
Unit Title:
Grade/Subject:
Teacher:
Seven
First Lady Standing Up for Civil Rights
The Great Depression and New Deal
Eighth Grade U.S. History from 1880
Debra Krawetz
1. Expectations
Students will be introduced to First Lady Eleanor Anna Roosevelt as First Lady of the World, and
champion of social justice and civil rights. Students will read and analyze first hand accounts and
articles on how she took a stand against the Daughter’s of the American Revolution in support of the
African American opera singer, Marian Anderson. Students will identify the risks that Eleanor took in
this more controversial protest that she initiated as First Lady
2. Engagement
 Students will be introduced to Eleanor Roosevelt by use of an introduction transparency,
handout #1. The teacher will emphasize how she stood up for civil and human rights
throughout career. Students will take notes on the main points.
 Students will read handout #2, Eleanor Roosevelt’s syndicated “My Day” newspaper column
from 2-27-1939, around the period which she resigned form the DAR. As a class or in small
groups, read the articles and discuss the questions at the end. Highlight to students how for that
time, and even now, how risky it can be for a First Lady to speak her views so openly.
 Next, handouts #4, #5, and #6 include six separate articles that show the national “reaction” to
Mrs. Roosevelt resignation from the D.A.R. Distribute one article to a group of 3-4 and have
students read the article, and then present to the class.
 Students will write up the following information on a large piece of paper:
a) Article summary. b) Article Analysis c) A political cartoon shows the theme of the article.
3. Exploration
Working in a group, students will read and discuss articles from 1939 that present different angles to
the Marian Anderson -- Eleanor DAR resignation story, and the presented a summary and analysis of
their article to the class.
4. Explanation
Students will read, discuss, explore their article in a small group, and then present a summary and
analysis of it to the class.
5. Evaluation
The presentation will be upgraded, but during small group time the teacher will circulate to see that
every student in participating in their small group.
6. Differentiation
For note taking, students who have difficulty writing will be required to record less information, and
those who have more difficulty reading aloud will be asked to read short passages, or not be asked to
read aloud at all. Students of varied ability levels will work in small groups, sharing and utilizing their
different skills. Enlarged copies of handouts and transparencies will be made for students who have
visual difficulties.
7. Handouts and Materials
ER Links: http://personalweb.smcvt.edu/smahady/erlinks.htm
Eleanor Roosevelt Cartoons:
http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/twhp/curriculumkit/lessons/roosevelt/6lrnmore.htm
FDR Library: Eleanor Roosevelt Resigns from the DAR:
http://www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/tmirhfee.html
Time Magazine, Profile of a Leader, April 1939:
http://www.time.com/time/time100/leaders/profile/eleanor.html
PBS – American Experience
Marian Anderson: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/remember/1997/anderson_2-26a.html
Eleanor Roosevelt: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/eleanor/index.html
My Day: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/eleanor/sfeature/myday.html
New Deal Network- Dear Mrs. Roosevelt -- Letters from children asking for help:
http://newdeal.feri.org/eleanor/index.htm
Audio of Eleanor Roosevelt and Marian Anderson story, 2:43:
http://www.exploredc.org/index.php?id=304
Lesson Seven: Handout #1
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt:
First Lady of the World
Eleanor Roosevelt (niece of Teddy) was
born in New York on October 11, 1884. Her parents died when
she was a child and she was raised by her grandmother.
Eleanor was educated by tutors and at age 15 was sent to a
girls’ school in England. Later Eleanor married her distant
cousin, Franklin, and they became the parents of six children.
After FDR was stricken with polio, she became active in
politics, traveling and surveying work and living conditions
during the Great Depression, and reporting what she saw to
husband.
Eleanor became an outspoken advocate of the poor, women’s
rights, and civil rights. A controversial decision Eleanor made
was on February 26, 1939 when she resigned from the
Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in support of
African American opera singer, Marian Anderson. (The DAR
would not allow Ms. Anderson to sing at Constitution Hall
following their policy to not allow African American
performers on the stage.)
After Franklin’s death, Eleanor was appointed as a delegate to
the United Nations and received awards for her social
advocacy, and humanitarian efforts. She died on November 7,
1962.
My Day Column
Lesson Seven: Handout #2
“My Day” was Mrs. Roosevelt’s news column that ran six days a week, from 1935-1962.
Sunday February 27, 1939
WASHINGTON, D.C. –Here we are back in Washington. I woke this morning to
what sounded like a real spring rain. The grass outside my window look green and I
though I suppose we will probably have a blizzard next week, at the moment I feel as though spring
had really arrived.
I am having a very peaceful day. I drove my car a short distance out of the city this morning to pilot
some friends of mine who are staring off for a vacation in Florida. I think this will be my only
excursion out of the White House today, for I have plenty of work to do on an accumulation of mail
and I hope to get through in time to enjoy an evening of uninterrupted reading.
I have been debating in my mind for some time, a question which I have had to debate with myself
once or twice before in my life. Usually I have decided differently from the way in which I am
deciding now. The question is, if you belong to an organization and disapprove of an action which is
typical of a policy, should you resign or is it better to work for a changed point of view within the
organization? In the past, when I was able to work actively in any organization to which I belonged, I
have usually stayed in until I had at least made a fight and had been defeated.
Even then, I have, as a rule, accepted my defeat and decided I was wrong or, perhaps, a little too far
ahead of the thinking of the majority at that time. I have often found that the thing in which I was
interested was done some years later. But, in this case, I belong to an organization in which I can do no
active work. They have taken an action which has been widely talked of in the press. To remain as a
member implies approval of that action, and therefore I am resigning.
I have just seen some people who are arranging for the Coronado Cuarto Centennial Celebration in
New Mexico in 1940. All the plans for this celebration, which will begin in May 1940, sound
interesting and delightful. New Mexico has many historic spots. There is beauty and an almost foreign
interest in this state which has so many ties with Spain and the South and Central American countries.
I hope that 1940 will see a great awakening of interest in this part of our nation. More of our American
citizens than ever before should see this land of sunshine and color. I, for one, will make every effort to
make the rounds of all the exhibitions which will be available during the summer following the
opening of this celebration.
While we are speaking on interesting things in the West let me tell you that I have been sent a
pamphlet by the “Save the Redwoods League” of Berkeley, CA, which pictures commercial
exploitation of the beautiful redwood trees in the State of California. Anyone who has ever taken the
drive up from the Yosemite to the State of Oregon, cannot fail to have an unforgettable picture of those
giants of the forest. They have stood thousands of years. Perhaps some of them have reached maturity,
but it seems to me a wicked thing to cut them down when that time arrives. Can not either the State or
the Nation take a hand in preserving those forests? –E.R.
Questions:
1. What reason does Eleanor give for resigning from the DAR?
2. Explain: “…a little too far ahead of the thinking of the majority at that time...”.
3. What stand does Eleanor take on the Calif. Red Woods?
4. Why was it then…. and why is it now….. still so controversial for First Ladies to speak out?
5. What examples from her column show that she was an independent woman for her day?
6. If she was alive today, what issues do you think would she speak out and take action?
Lesson Seven: Handout #3
Marian Anderson
First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt’s
Resignation Letter to the DAR
Text Copy:
February 26, 1939.
My dear Mrs. Henry M. Robert, Jr.:
I am afraid that I have never been a very useful member of the Daughters of the American Revolution,
so I know it will make very little difference to you whether I resign, or whether I continue to be a
member of your organization.
However, I am in complete disagreement with the attitude taken in refusing Constitution Hall to a great
artist. You have set an example which seems to me unfortunate, and I feel obliged to send in to you my
resignation. You had an opportunity to lead in an enlightened way and it seems to me that your
organization has failed.
I realize that many people will not agree with me, but feeling as I do this seems to me the only proper
procedure to follow.
Very sincerely yours,
Eleanor Roosevelt
Questions:
1. What does Eleanor say about the D.A.R.'s
missed chance to show leadership?
2. Eleanor’s letter is short, but her words and
phrases stand out. (List the words that
seems powerful to you.)
3. Does Eleanor seem to care about public
opinion? –Give an example
4. How do you think the DAR reacted to
receiving this letter?
5. How do you think the American Public
responded to her letter?
Lesson Seven: Handout #4
New York Times: Reactions to Eleanor Roosevelt’s
D.A.R. Resignation and of the D.A.R.’s Discriminatory
Policies
Feb. 28, 1939
Reader’s Letter
March 1, 1939
Lesson Seven: Handout #5
Reactions to Eleanor Roosevelt’s D.A.R. Resignation and of
the D.A.R.’s Discriminatory Policies
New York Times
Mrs. Roosevelt’s
Approval Rating at 67%
Lesson Seven: Handout #6
Reactions to Eleanor Roosevelt’s D.A.R. Resignation and of
the D.A.R.’s Discriminatory Policies
New York Times