Washington, September 8, 1936. I think people might be amused to know of some of the strange situations in which I have been obliged to write my newspaper column. One day stands out vividly in my mind. The President was opening Shenandoah Park and we left Washington early in the morning. Mrs. Scheider brought her portable typewriter and came along in one of the White House cars that was going back in the afternoon. We were busy all the morning. We picnicked for lunch, and the President made his speech at about 3 o’clock in the afternoon. I had told him beforehand that as soon as he had finished speaking, I would dash for the other car and the typewriter, and would he please wait for me before proceeding to Richmond. He was most reassuring. I made my way to the car. Mrs. Scheider was there with the typewriter already opened on the little seat in front of her. We no sooner began to work than people came up to the car and said, “I just wanted to shake hands, Mrs. Roosevelt,” or, “My little girl would be so happy if I could have your autograph.” In desperation I beckoned to the chauffeur and one of the Secret Service men standing near and begged them to stand on either side of the car until I was finished. In about one minute Mr. MacIntyre, the President’s secretary, came along and put his head inside one of the windows. My heart sank. “Oh, is the President ready so soon?” I asked. To which he responded: “Oh no, he is talking to the Governor and is entirely happy, having already announced that, having a wife who is a columnist, he has to wait for her occasionally. I just thought I would like to see you work.
In Eleanor’s Words
Song Cycle by Stacy Garrop (b. 1969)
1. The Newspaper Column  [sung text not yet checked]
Text Authorship:
- by Anna Eleanor Roosevelt (1884 - 1962)
Go to the general single-text view
excerpted from Eleanor Roosevelt’s My Day columnsResearcher for this page: Joost van der Linden [Guest Editor]
3. An Anonymous Letter
Westbrook, Connecticut, October 30, 1944. I can hardly believe it, but I have received an anonymous letter which says nothing but pleasant things. That has never happened to me before. Both the letter and the verse accompanying it are very kindly meant, and certainly helped to do the thing the writer wished to do. She says: “Even Mrs. Roosevelt must need morale lifting too.” Sometimes I do, so many thanks to an unknown friend
Text Authorship:
- by Anna Eleanor Roosevelt (1884 - 1962), written 1944
Go to the general single-text view
Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
excerpted from Eleanor Roosevelt’s My Day columnsResearcher for this page: Joost van der Linden [Guest Editor]
4. The Supreme Power
Paris, December 10, 1948. I would have been delighted to see in the preamble a paragraph alluding to the Supreme Power. I knew very well, however, there were many men around the table who would violently be opposed to naming God, and I did not want it put to a [roll call] because I thought for those of us who are Christians it would be rather difficult to have God defeated in a vote.
Text Authorship:
- by Anna Eleanor Roosevelt (1884 - 1962), written 1948, copyright status unknown
Go to the general single-text view
Researcher for this page: Joost van der Linden [Guest Editor]