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Making HERstory:  Eleanor Roosevelt’s Lasting Impact on Female Journalists

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As we round out Women’s History Month, let’s explore how Eleanor Roosevelt used her position as first lady to improve professional opportunitiesfor women.  Back in the 1930’s women were barred from White House press conferences. Without access to influential leaders or vital information, a female journalist’s ability to report the news was seriously compromised.  In fact, women were at risk of losing reporting jobs and being banned from journalism altogether.

Fortunately, first lady Eleanor Roosevelt stepped in. On March 6, 1933, two days after her husband was inaugurated as presidentof the United States of America, Mrs. Roosevelt held her first press conference.  She made the remarkable decision to invite only women reporters to the event.  35 female journalists attended. 

Eleanor Roosevelt is on record discussing the press conferences for women reporters, stating “unless women reporters could find something new to write about, the chances were that some of them would lose their jobs in a very short time.”  Her observation, foresight and action changed HERstory. 

At first, Roosevelt’s press conferences were designed to cover only issues “of special interest and value to the women of the country,” but by 1933, topics expanded to issues facing our nation.  In fact, Eleanor Roosevelt once famously scooped the White House by announcing that beer would be served in the White House once Prohibition ended.

As President Roosevelt’s term continued, Mrs. Roosevelt’s press conference grew in importance and many foreign dignitaries and world leaders spoke there.  Eleanor Roosevelt held her last White House press conference on April 12, 1945, a few hours before President Roosevelt died.  She was later appointed by President Harry S. Truman as a United States representative to the first UN meeting on January 1, 1946. 

Eleanor Roosevelt changed what seemed unchangeable.  In her support of women, she not only improved working conditions for many, but also evolved the traditional role of first lady making it more substantial. Since her time, first ladies have built upon her success and now use the platform to make real change on important issues.  That is what HERstory is all about!

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