Eleanor Roosevelt referred to Mary McLeod Bethune as her spiritual sister, a phrase that reflected not only deep affection but shared purpose. Their friendship crossed the rigid racial lines of the era and was marked by quiet but deliberate acts of defiance. In one notable instance, Roosevelt chose to drive Bethune herself through the segregated South, fully aware of the social and political risks. To both women, principle outweighed custom. Their alliance advanced civil rights, expanded access to federal programs, and demonstrated the kind of moral courage that Roosevelt believed was essential to a functioning democracy.
(This corresponds to the July 10, 2025 newsletter)
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