New Deal Postage Stamps: Eleanor Roosevelt

Above: The back of this stamp reads, "Eleanor Roosevelt was an extremely vocal, active, and influential First Lady. During press conferences for women reporters and in her syndicated column, she championed the rights of women, youths, minorities, and the disadvantaged." Regarding young Americans and the Great Depression, Eleanor Roosevelt once said: "I have moments of real terror when I think we might be losing this generation. We have got to bring these young people into the active life of the community and make them feel that they are necessary." Roosevelt was an avid supporter of the New Deal's National Youth Administration. Image from personal collection.

Above: Eleanor Roosevelt was (and still is) known worldwide as a "Defender of Human Rights." Indeed, she was the chair of the Drafting Committee of the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Image from personal collection.

Above: A 20 cent stamp issued in 1984, celebrating the centennial of Eleanor Roosevelt's birth. As is true for anyone trying to help the downtrodden, Eleanor Roosevelt's activism "made her a tempting target for political enemies - but her integrity, her graciousness, and her sincerity of purpose endeared her personally to many, from heads of state to servicemen she visited abroad during World War II" (see "Anna Eleanor Roosevelt," The White House). Image from personal collection.

Above: In the year 2020, a woman may appear on the 10 dollar bill. According to one recent poll, Eleanor Roosevelt is the leading candidate. The image on this stamp would be a good one, although I've noticed there isn't much smiling on American currency. Eleanor Roosevelt died on November 7, 1962. In remembering her, Adlai Stevenson said, "What other human being has touched and transformed the existence of so many?...She walked in the slums of the world, not on a tour of inspection...but as one who could not feel contentment when others were hungry. Her glow warmed the world...she embodied the vision and the will to achieve a world in which all men can walk in peace and dignity." Image from personal collection.