What a nice surprise treat! The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray gives us a novel insight into the friendship of Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune. Two women. What's so strange about this? Well, back in 1927 this was the beginning of a life long friendship between a white woman and a black woman. (Swoon!)
Frankly, as I read this book, I did keep shaking my head. The segregation. The ridiculous treatment of Dr. Bethune is beyond fathom. And yet, sadly today, still a bit current. From then, through the 1930s, the 1940s (WWII), and 1945 - the UN Charter these women grew to work together, to appreciate each other, and truly make life better for so many.
I love how this book gives equal story opportunity to both characters. We all feel we know quite a bit about First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. She was a force to be reckoned with and worked hard on so many causes in the shadow of her husband FDR. Mary McLeod Bethune is less well known, but should be. An activist and educator, she is a person to admire.
Their friendship formed the foundation for the modern civil rights movement.
Kudos to the author - one white, one black. Their melded chapters flowed and like The Personal Librarian (another genius book) they truly give us a story for the ages. Please read The First Ladies - learn and appreciate an amazing piece of history in novel form.
