The next reason why I “chose” Eleanor was for her amazing perseverance. Even through disaster and extreme busyness, she kept going, and she helped to encourage a president that would change the world. Considering her awful, lonely, simply horrid childhood, Elli really was one of those people who bounce back like a cheap rubber ball you get in quarter machines! When Elli came home from England, she was tall and willowy. She thought she was ugly, but other people didn’t. Especially not her cousin Franklin. Franklin was dashing and had lots of charm. Like Elli’s uncle Theodore, he was full of energy and spark. He and Eleanor fell deeply in love. They were soon married. Before long Elli found her self with 5 children to care for, 3 houses to manage, and a husband with presidential ambitions. Then tragedy struck. FDR was struck ill with polio. He would never support himself on 2 legs ever again. He would be in pain constantly, and who would want a president that had to roll himself around in a wheelchair? Despite his determination, Franklin felt ready to give up. Eleanor had a lot of experience with tragedy, maybe that’s why she handled it so well; Elli refused to see her husband, so close to his dreams, simply give up and walk away. She encouraged him to keep going, that polio was no reason to change his goals. She could become his legs, and his eyes and ears too. FDR was inspired, and together Eleanor and Franklin continued to become one of the greatest political teams of history as we know it. (Again, only as we know it!)

            Eleanor was Franklin’s link to the people. As it turns out, FDR was elected Chief Executive of the United States. The people loved him. He was a great president too. Or rather, Eleanor and Franklin together were a great Presidential team. FDR couldn’t have made it without her. Now, during all this house-buying and children-raising business, the Great Depression raged on and on. President Hoover wasn’t doing much to change that, either. American’s were desperate, and lucky for them the Roosevelt’s had some ideas about that. FDR released his “New Deal” idea. The problem was that what the people needed most was reassurance- not just some radio speech or words on paper –real reassurance. Eleanor took care of that. She traveled the country, restoring Americans hope and illustrating Franklin’s New Deal program. As she promised, she became his eyes and ears. She reported to him on how Americans felt, on what things were like to live like them. She understood loneliness. By indentifying with the average American, FDR could find a way to end the depression that worked. And he did. He provided jobs like fixing roads and bridges or planting gardens for eligible men and payed them for it. He provided relief for those who couldn’t work, and kitchens of free food. No more hoovervilles were needed. This however was all chain reaction of Eleanor’s amazing going-ats. So the 3rd reason I “picked” ER was for her going-at-it-ness. She didn’t have anything in it for her… but she did it anyways. She selflessly helped the American people, and ended a sad chapter because of it. =)

            Eleanor truly made a difference. She faced many obstacles as a child. She had amazing perseverance, and encouraged a disaster-struck man even through all the pain it must have caused her. She was selfless. All and all, she was a very important person for American people. Who knows how long the depression would have lasted if it weren’t for her? No one, that’s who.

Elli was a grand person- and she definatly deserves the insane number of statues that have been built for her.