This image from 1935 'President's Wife Visits Coal Mine' represents the beginning of the transition of the role of the First Lady. Dressed relatively simply and riding in the coal cars just like the other workers, Eleanor Roosevelt revealed one of her key values: equality. She made people of a much lesser class feel understood. She highlighted working conditions to improve life for those who worked in mines. This first, surprising action was a huge step in Eleanor's career in being a proactive rights activist. She shed light on the importance of women's role in the white house and began the transition between the terms 'the President's Wife' and 'the First Lady'.
Eleanor Roosevelt was an exceedingly independent woman with strong work ethic and a will to help others no matter what other people think. In this picture, 'Eleanor Dancing' from the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, she dances happily with the people of Arthur Dale, the town that she saved fro extreme poverty. She made her self one of the townspeople and supported them because she cared so deeply about seeing people succeed. Even when her funding was cut and she had no support, she continued her project using her own money. She didn't pay attention to people who tried to stop her, she just continued to help people.
This photo, 'Marian Anderson', from 1934, displays how Eleanor's stubbornness paid off. When well-known opera singer was denied the opportunity to sing in the White House, Eleanor became determined to make it happen. She quit the women's club that disagreed with her and arranged for her to perform on the Met Steps. When the performance became a wild success, it was agreed that Marian would get to perform. Eleanor showed that her bravery to stand out and do what she wanted ended up breaking racial barriers and making the capital a place for equal opportunities.