In the White House, Eleanor dresses for Franklin’s second inauguration, reflecting on global crises and hoping for a better term. Hick arrives, and Eleanor confirms their relationship has shifted to friendship; Hick will return to reporting and may need distance, a painful but deliberate choice before the new term begins.

Eleanor rides with Franklin to St. John’s church and then to the Capitol. James Roosevelt helps maintain Franklin’s walking facade to the dais. Onstage, Eleanor notes Hick and Earl among close guests and the absence of Marion and Nan after their break. She’s heartened by Black inclusion she helped arrange, including G. David Houston’s committee role, Black press access, and a Medal of Honor soldier in the Honor Guard.

Seeing Steve Woodburn in the VIPs rekindles Eleanor’s anger over his efforts to sideline Mary. In the crowd, she spots a woman who looks like Mary being redirected from the reserved section to the back by a white usher. With Franklin’s understanding, Eleanor slips off the platform just before the oath to intervene.

Eleanor confronts the usher, forcing him to acknowledge his discriminatory refusal and ordering him to locate Mary and seat her prominently. They search the crowd until Eleanor finds Mary McLeod Bethune. Eleanor greets Mary and states her purpose: to ensure her friend receives the rightful place owed to her at the historic ceremony.