Chapter 4

Summary

• The chapter is a narration by Eleanor Roosevelt dated October 14, 1927 taking place in New York.
• Eleanor observes her mother-in-law, Sara Roosevelt, interacting with various guests. She notes her mother-in-law’s disapproval of her projects which fall outside the traditional women's roles and are unrelated to her husband Franklin's political work.
• Eleanor recalls a painful incident when she found out about her husband's affair with Lucy Mercer. She decided to leave Franklin but her mother-in-law persuaded her to stay for the sake of their children and Franklin’s political career. The proposal was to remain married but live separate lives, which Eleanor agreed to.
• Within the narration, Eleanor has a conversation with educational reformer Mary McLeod Bethune discussing the challenges of running schools and the importance of educating girls from various backgrounds.
• Eleanor also shares her frustration with her mother-in-law’s controlling nature, recounting how, even after their marriage, Sara continued to exert control over her and Franklin.
• Even though Eleanor and her mother-in-law share the same belief in empowering women, their views differ when it comes to Eleanor focusing on political work and areas beyond homemaking.
• The chapter ends with humorous moment where, in the midst of the conversation, Mrs. Bethune refers to their difference not in their skin colors, but in their political affiliations - Eleanor being a Democrat and Mrs. Bethune a Republican.
• Mrs. Bethune praises Eleanor for her courage, evident in Eleanor's decision to invite her, a black woman, to a primarily white gathering during an era of intense racial segregation.