The First Ladies Summary, Characters and Themes
The First Ladies, co-written by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, is a historical fiction novel that delves into the powerful friendship between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights leader Mary McLeod Bethune. Set during a transformative period in American history, the novel highlights how these two influential women from different racial and social backgrounds forged an enduring bond over their shared passion for civil rights, education, and equality.
Through their friendship, they challenged societal norms and worked tirelessly to fight against racism, advocating for anti-lynching laws and improved opportunities for African Americans, especially during the turbulent years of the Great Depression and World War II.
Summary
Beginning in 1927, The First Ladies traces the friendship between Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune, two trailblazing women united by their vision of social justice. They first meet at a women’s rights event where Mary, a prominent Black activist and educator, is the only African American woman present.
Eleanor, recognizing Mary’s isolation, reaches out to her, sparking a connection that grows stronger over time.
Despite their vastly different backgrounds—Eleanor, the wife of Franklin D. Roosevelt, a wealthy politician, and Mary, the daughter of former slaves—they discover common ground in their dedication to equality, women’s rights, and education.
Over the next several years, their bond deepens through letters and encounters at social and political gatherings.
Both women take on significant leadership roles: Eleanor supports her husband through his political campaigns and eventual presidency, while Mary oversees Bethune-Cookman College and leads several national organizations, including the NAACP.
Although Mary initially aligns with the Republican Party, her admiration for Franklin Roosevelt’s policies ultimately leads her to switch her support to the Democrats.
As they navigate their personal and professional challenges, Eleanor and Mary work together to address urgent social issues. One of their major goals is to pass anti-lynching legislation, a cause they passionately champion even though it faces considerable opposition.
Eleanor learns more about the complexities of race and civil rights from Mary, while Mary hones her political strategy under Eleanor’s guidance. Together, they push for reforms in education, employment for Black Americans, and the advancement of women.
Their friendship also provides a source of personal comfort. Eleanor confides in Mary about her emotional distance from Franklin after his affair with Lucy Mercer, while Mary shares the pain of her own husband’s infidelity.
Their shared experiences strengthen their bond, offering each other advice and support as they confront their pasts and move forward.
Throughout Franklin’s presidency, Eleanor’s partnership with Mary becomes a subject of controversy, as their public association defies the era’s racial norms.
They face harsh criticism and even death threats, but remain steadfast in their commitment to equality. Mary’s prominence leads to her appointment as head of the “Negro division” of the National Youth Administration, and the two women continue their efforts to improve opportunities for African Americans, including advocating for the integration of the military.
As World War II unfolds, Eleanor and Mary fight for the inclusion of Black servicemen in all military branches.
Their public support for the Tuskegee Airmen is a pivotal moment, with Eleanor famously flying with a Black pilot to draw attention to the cause.
After the war, Eleanor and Mary both continue to play significant roles on the international stage.
Eleanor serves as a key figure in the United Nations, while Mary is appointed to a human rights position.
Despite the challenges of aging and health issues, their friendship endures until Mary’s death in 1955, leaving a lasting legacy of their shared work for equality and justice.
Characters
Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt, the First Lady of the United States, is portrayed as an intelligent and compassionate woman dedicated to social reform. Throughout the novel, her character evolves from being primarily the supportive political wife of Franklin D. Roosevelt into an independent and determined leader in her own right, particularly in the realm of civil rights.
Eleanor’s development as a character is deeply tied to her friendship with Mary McLeod Bethune, which enables her to challenge her own understanding of race and equality. Her experiences with infidelity in her marriage, as well as her dissatisfaction with the traditional role of a political wife, push her to seek meaning in public life through advocating for the rights of the disenfranchised.
Eleanor’s commitment to civil rights and equality is demonstrated in her unwavering support for anti-lynching legislation, desegregation, and equal opportunities for Black Americans, despite the backlash she faces. Her partnership with Mary is transformative for her; she learns not only about the complex dynamics of race in America but also about how to use her position of privilege to enact change.
The novel shows Eleanor’s compassion, resilience, and determination to transcend the limitations placed on her by society. Her growing friendship with Mary symbolizes her deep commitment to justice for all.
Mary McLeod Bethune
Mary McLeod Bethune is a pioneering Black civil rights activist and educator who rises from poverty to become a national leader. Her character is defined by her deep commitment to education, particularly for Black Americans, and her tenacity in the face of systemic racism.
As the founder of Bethune-Cookman College, Mary demonstrates her passion for empowering Black youth through education. Throughout the novel, she is portrayed as a figure of immense strength, compassion, and resilience, navigating the challenges of being a Black woman in a racially divided America while holding steadfast to her principles.
Her friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt is one of mutual respect and growth. Through this bond, Mary helps Eleanor understand the complexities of the Black American experience and teaches her how to navigate the political landscape in a way that furthers their shared goals.
Mary’s role as an advisor to Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt, especially in matters of civil rights, highlights her strategic brilliance and her ability to work within the system to create meaningful change. She is unafraid to push boundaries, as evidenced by her efforts to secure equal opportunities for Black people in the military.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Though Franklin Roosevelt’s role in the novel is not as prominent as Eleanor’s or Mary’s, he remains a significant figure, especially as the U.S. president. Franklin is portrayed as a charismatic and politically astute leader who works alongside Eleanor, though his focus is more on navigating the political and economic crises of his time, such as the Great Depression and World War II.
His relationship with Eleanor is marked by both cooperation and emotional distance, shaped by his past infidelity with Lucy Mercer, which forever alters the dynamic between him and Eleanor. Franklin’s leadership is important to the civil rights movement, albeit more indirectly.
Mary and Eleanor’s influence pushes him toward enacting key reforms, such as appointing Black Americans to federal positions and advocating for equality in the military. However, Franklin is shown to be more cautious in his approach to controversial issues, such as anti-lynching legislation, revealing the limitations of his political pragmatism.
Lucy Mercer
Lucy Mercer’s presence in the novel, though more symbolic, plays an important role in shaping Eleanor Roosevelt’s personal growth and the trajectory of her marriage. Lucy’s affair with Franklin deeply wounds Eleanor, marking the end of their emotional closeness as a married couple.
Though the affair is in the past by the time the novel takes place, its effects linger in Eleanor’s psyche, driving her toward personal independence and emotional fulfillment through her work in social reform. Lucy’s character symbolizes the betrayal that propels Eleanor into a life of public service and activism.
While not a major figure in the story’s events, Lucy’s influence on the Roosevelts’ marriage serves as a catalyst for Eleanor’s eventual transformation from a dutiful wife into a social reformer with her own goals and identity.
James Bethune
James Bethune, Mary’s husband, plays a minor but significant role in shaping Mary’s character. His infidelity after the birth of their first child mirrors the infidelity experienced by Eleanor, creating a bond between the two women.
James is ultimately removed from Mary’s life after she throws him out, demonstrating Mary’s strength and self-respect. However, unlike Eleanor, who is advised to forgive Franklin for practical reasons, Mary chooses to sever her romantic ties with James while still showing a capacity for forgiveness.
This contrast between their marriages adds depth to Mary’s character, showcasing her resilience and determination to not allow personal betrayal to hinder her larger goals.
Supporting Characters
In addition to these central figures, the novel includes various supporting characters who contribute to the broader social and political landscape of the time. Leaders in civil rights, women’s organizations, and political figures play key roles in shaping the narrative.
Eleanor’s and Mary’s ability to network and collaborate with other activists, despite opposition and racial tensions, highlights the power of coalition-building in their fight for equality. These characters together create a rich tapestry of historical figures whose interactions reflect the tensions, challenges, and achievements of their era.
Each character is integral to portraying the complexities of friendship, loyalty, and social change during one of the most turbulent periods in American history. The novel’s focus on Eleanor and Mary’s friendship provides a compelling lens through which to examine these larger historical forces.
Themes
Intersectionality of Race, Gender, and Class in the Struggle for Equality
One of the central themes of The First Ladies is the intricate intersection of race, gender, and class in the fight for social justice. Eleanor Roosevelt, a white First Lady from a wealthy, politically powerful family, and Mary McLeod Bethune, a Black woman born into poverty, represent two vastly different experiences of American life.
Despite their differences, both women are bound by their commitment to human rights and equality. The novel explores how their partnership transcended societal divisions and demonstrated the importance of addressing inequality from multiple angles.
They navigated the male-dominated political world while advocating for women’s rights, often facing resistance not only due to their gender but also, in Mary’s case, because of her race. Their collaboration reflects how gender equality and racial justice are interwoven, with progress in one area supporting advancements in the other.
The novel doesn’t simplify the challenges they faced; instead, it underscores the complex, multi-layered oppression that requires a nuanced, intersectional approach to reform. Their goals for education and political engagement reflect an understanding that both race and gender need to be addressed for lasting change.
Personal and Political Evolution Through Cross-Cultural Alliance
The friendship between Eleanor and Mary is not merely a personal relationship but also a political alliance that spurs their individual growth. Eleanor’s evolution from a politically engaged yet somewhat insulated First Lady to a more radical advocate for racial justice is largely due to her relationship with Mary.
Through Mary’s guidance and lived experiences, Eleanor learns about the nuances of race and the dangers of assuming that white people must “save” Black Americans. This theme of evolution through cross-cultural alliance is also seen in Mary’s growing understanding of political strategy, largely informed by Eleanor’s insights.
Together, they challenge societal norms that dictate separation between races and classes, proving that partnerships between individuals from different backgrounds can lead to mutual enlightenment and transformative societal change. The theme underscores the importance of personal relationships in breaking down systemic barriers.
Eleanor’s journey into racial activism, particularly her visible gestures like flying with a Black pilot, is not just a sign of her political growth but a reflection of how deeply personal alliances can push public figures to take more courageous stances.
Power Dynamics and Female Leadership in a Patriarchal Society
In The First Ladies, Benedict and Murray illustrate the limitations and possibilities of female leadership within a male-dominated political landscape. Both Eleanor and Mary operate in a world where men control much of the political power, and their rise to influence is framed within their ability to navigate, and at times, subvert patriarchal structures.
Eleanor, as the wife of the President, leverages her role to champion causes that might otherwise be ignored by mainstream politics, using her proximity to power to push for reforms in civil rights and gender equality. The novel explores how she operates both within and outside the expected confines of her role as First Lady, crafting her own identity as an independent political actor.
Meanwhile, Mary, who leads multiple Black organizations and serves as a key figure in the National Youth Administration, carves out space for Black leadership in a system that frequently excludes people of color. Both women’s strategies for gaining and wielding influence challenge traditional notions of power, suggesting that leadership can take unconventional forms.
Their shared determination to appoint Black people to governmental positions and their work for equal rights shows how they manipulated power dynamics in their favor. They often did this by working through networks of women and allies outside traditional male power structures.
The Duality of Public Persona and Private Suffering in Social Activism
The novel presents a poignant exploration of the tension between public activism and personal vulnerability. Both Eleanor and Mary, in their roles as public figures, are subjected to intense scrutiny and personal sacrifice.
Eleanor’s private suffering, stemming from Franklin Roosevelt’s infidelity, is juxtaposed against her public image as a champion for human rights and social reform. Mary, too, contends with the personal pain of her husband’s betrayal while simultaneously fighting systemic racism and leading national organizations.
The theme of duality is particularly significant in how the novel portrays their emotional struggles as integral to their activism, not separate from it. This juxtaposition highlights how their private suffering often fuels their public work.
For instance, Mary’s understanding of forgiveness after her husband’s infidelity parallels the emotional support she offers Eleanor. The novel suggests that both women draw strength from their personal experiences of pain and betrayal, channeling these into their broader struggles for social justice.
The Role of Education as a Catalyst for Social and Political Reform
Education emerges as a critical theme in The First Ladies, not merely as a means of personal empowerment but as a catalyst for broader social change. Both women share a commitment to education, though their experiences with it differ starkly.
For Mary, education is a path out of poverty and a tool for the upliftment of Black Americans, especially women. Her work in founding Bethune-Cookman College is framed as an act of defiance against a system that sought to deny Black people access to education and, by extension, power.
Eleanor’s perspective on education, shaped by her privileged background, evolves as she becomes more engaged in the struggles for equality. Her partnership with Mary reinforces the importance of accessible education for all, not just as a means of individual betterment but as essential to the collective progress of marginalized communities.
Their joint efforts to improve educational opportunities for Black youth and women reflect their understanding that education is foundational to dismantling oppressive systems. The novel demonstrates that education is not just about intellectual growth but about equipping individuals with the tools to challenge societal inequalities.
Public Display of Unity as a Form of Subversive Activism
Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune’s friendship serves as a form of subversive activism in itself, particularly in how they publicly displayed their unity. In an era when racial segregation was the norm, their very act of publicly embracing each other—symbolized through handshakes and attending events together—was a powerful visual challenge to the deeply ingrained societal expectations of racial division.
The novel highlights how their personal friendship was not just a private affair but a political statement. Their public interactions, such as Eleanor’s flight with a Black pilot, served to push the boundaries of what was socially acceptable for a white woman in her position.
The theme explores how public gestures, often dismissed as symbolic, can be potent acts of resistance, shaping public perception and paving the way for deeper structural changes. Their public unity also reinforced their political alliance, making it harder for critics to dismiss their efforts as isolated or purely individualistic.
Their solidarity became a visible, undeniable force in the struggle for racial equality.