Bookwoman | First Ladies (BW25-2)

by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray

Wednesday, February 12

10:00–11:30 am

All women are invited to these discussions to share observations, enthusiasm, insights and the pure enjoyment of reading.

A novel about the extraordinary partnership between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune—an unlikely friendship that changed the world.

The daughter of formerly enslaved parents, Mary McLeod Bethune refuses to back down as white supremacists attempt to thwart her work. She marches on as an activist and an educator, and as her reputation grows she becomes a celebrity, revered by titans of business and recognized by U.S. Presidents. Eleanor Roosevelt herself is awestruck and eager to make her acquaintance. Initially drawn together because of their shared belief in women’s rights and the power of education, Mary and Eleanor become fast friends confiding their secrets, hopes and dreams—and holding each other’s hands through tragedy and triumph.

When Franklin Delano Roosevelt is elected president, the two women begin to collaborate more closely, particularly as Eleanor moves toward her own agenda separate from FDR, a consequence of the devastating discovery of her husband’s secret love affair. Eleanor becomes a controversial First Lady for her outspokenness, particularly on civil rights. And when she receives threats because of her strong ties to Mary, it only fuels the women’s desire to fight together for justice and equality.

This is the story of two different, yet equally formidable, passionate, and committed women, and the way in which their singular friendship helped form the foundation for the modern civil rights movement. — Goodreads

Registration REQUIRED by 2/10

Minimum Registration: 4

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• If you cancel up to 7 calendar days prior to a program or event, your payment, less the non-refundable deposit and service fee, will be refunded.
• If you cancel 4 days in advance, you may have your payment, less the non-refundable deposit, transferred to another program.
• In the last 3 days, there are no refunds.
• Womanspace reserves the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment by the registration deadline, in which case, full refunds will be made.