Chapter 38

Summary

• The chapter is set in Hyde Park, New York, on April 3, 1936.
• Eleanor Roosevelt is in a meeting that ends, and everyone is preparing to leave back to the capital on a presidential train.
• Mary Bethune, a black woman and board member, says she will stay behind to the surprise of others, including Mr. Williams.
• Eleanor explains that Mary has been invited to stay the night at the president's house, which is considered unusual.
• The president's mother, Mrs. Roosevelt, exits the room and begins a conversation with Mary.
• After exploring the gardens, Eleanor brings Mary to her private residence, Val-Kill Cottage.
• Mary is introduced to Eleanor's friends, Marion and Nan, which breeds slight jealousy due to Eleanor's often fond mentions of Mary.
• An assistant of President Roosevelt interrupts Eleanor's entertaining of guests to request a meeting.
• Eleanor meets with Franklin who mentions a speech Mary made about colored youth benefiting from the National Youth Administration (NYA).
• Franklin suggests the creation of a specific division within the NYA to address the needs of Negro citizens run by a colored person.
• Although shocked, Eleanor supports Franklin's idea.
• Franklin then reveals that he wants to appoint Mary Bethune for this new role.