Thursday, March 6, 2025

The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray *****

The First Ladies is a novel about the interracial friendship between Eleanor Delano Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune during the years of FDR’s presidency and Jim Crow. Together, they fought for civil rights. Some fights were successful (the Tuskegee Airmen), and others not (any anti-lynching bill). This book is not all politics. Their relationship and mutual support are also explored.

Much is said about how people are addressed. White people addressed negroes by their first name regardless of their relationship. This was offensive, and Mrs. Bethune spoke up about this, often supported by Mrs. Roosevelt.

Eleanor Roosevelt might not need an introduction, but Mrs. Bethune does. “She was also a prolific writer who submitted articles and pieces to many newspapers and periodicals, and had regular columns. … The National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs and the National Council of Negro Women benefited from Mary’s leadership ... The list of businesses that Mary originated and ran was numerous—McLeod Hospital, an insurance company, Bethune Beach, a funeral home … During World War II, Mary was also a consultant to the U.S. Secretary of War, helping to identify and select Negro female candidates to become officers.” In addition, she held several leadership positions within FDR’s administration. Bethune-Cookman University is still in Daytona Beach, Florida.

With its emphasis on these women’s personal lives, the book deals with FDR’s affair with Lucy Mercer and Eleanor Roosevelt’s affair with Lorena Hickok. It also deals with Mrs. Bethune’s experiences with Jim Crow laws. My favorite parts of the book were when Eleanor used her power as First Lady to combat Jim Crow laws.

J Edgar Hoover, Bull Connor, and Lyndon Baines Johnson, among others, had cameo roles.

Footnote: The two authors are an interracial pair and consider many of the discussions of racism between Eleanor and Mary to be autobiographical.

Check out https://amazon.com/shop/influencer-20171115075 for Omega Cats Press books and book recommendations. 


No comments: