Eleanor Roosevelt overcame many hardships throughout her life. Considered homely, Roosevelt grew up at the end of the Victorian era in an aristocratic family, where, as far as women were concerned, looks mattered more than intelligence. She lost both of her parents before she was 10 years old. At age 19, Roosevelt married her fifth cousin, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and they had six children. From this profile emerged a woman who captured the attention of the American public, and eventually of the world, as she became a journalist, First Lady, diplomat, and social activist. She fought personal battles against depression and anorexia even as she fought public battles for the rights of African Americans, women, and immigrants. A pioneer in her dogged efforts to make life better for everyone, Roosevelt continues to serve as a role model for old and young people alike. Read about one of America’s most notable women in
Eleanor Roosevelt .