Chapter 65

Summary

• The chapter opens with Mary's return to the White House after a severe asthma attack that kept her away for months.
• She reflects on her doubts about her continued role in Washington due to budget cuts to programmes she worked for and her failing health.
• Mary revels in the warm reception from her dear friend Eleanor Roosevelt and they catch up on their lives during Mary's illness.
• Eleanor has been on an international stage, while Mary has been on sick leave, leading to doubts and fears in Mary's mind about their continued partnership.
• They also discuss Mary's health situation, her recovery, and the ongoing role of the FBI in her life, probing her associations with political figures.
• Eleanor reveals that she has a new project in mind for them, regarding the arduous training of the Tuskegee pilots.
• The Tuskegee pilots are a team of African-American pilots trained to a high level of proficiency, but unable to go to war due to racial discrimination.
• With a recent law passed that enables African-Americans to be drafted without any restrictions, Eleanor proposes that they use it as a tool to put the Tuskegee pilots into active duty.
• The idea is to draw attention to the pilots' skills and readiness and create public outcry at their being held back due to racial discrimination.
• Being presented with this new project makes Mary feel revived and filled with purpose, and she eagerly agrees to join Eleanor in making a visit to Tuskegee.