“Following In Her Footsteps” awardee Jane Alexander delivers ...

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Vol.6 No.1 The newsletter of Honoring Eleanor Roosevelt A Project to Preserve Her Val-Kill Home Spring/Summer 2012
“Following In Her Footsteps” awardee
Jane Alexander delivers Wheelock College
2012 Commencement Address
Editor’s Note: Here is a small excerpt of Ms. Alexander’s speech in which she mentions Eleanor’s contribution to her own life.
Children are highly
creative beings and
need artistic endeavors
throughout
schooling. When a
child is taught to
sing, she is learning
to listen. When we
teach her to draw,
she is learning to
see. When we teach
a child to dance, we
teach him about his
body and about
space, and when he
acts onstage, he
learns about character,
emotion and
motivation. When
we teach a child
design, we reveal
the geometry of the
world. When we
teach children about the folk and traditional arts and the
great masterpieces of the world, we teach them to celebrate
their roots and find a place of their own in history.
It would be wonderful to see art as the fourth “r”in education
to encourage creativity, critical thinking and stimulate
the imaginations of our children.
Many of you graduates are poised to be teachers. I ask
you to think about keeping the arts in education and
keeping the arts in your own lives, too. The distractions of
the new social media and new technologies can take up
so much of your time that you neglect to read a book, or
write one, to sing in a choir or listen to one, to paint a
picture or go to a museum; you neglect the part of your
brain that taps into your most creative thinking. There are
many problems to be
solved in this vast and
wonderful world of ours. I
have no doubt you can
help solve them. How do
you begin to tackle such
immense problems? By
starting at home, by starting
in the classroom.
President Jenkins-Scott
and I were honored last
year with the Eleanor
Roosevelt “Following in
her Footsteps” Award.
Eleanor Roosevelt was
one of the most remarkable
women of the 20th
century. Playing her in a
television miniseries in
the mid-70s was one of
the greatest roles I was
ever given. I learned so
much from her life and living. Eleanor Roosevelt said:
“Where, after all, do human rights begin? In small places
close to home.” It is not necessary to try and save the
whole world; start small, start one to one, and you will
be surprised how much is accomplished exponentially
in years to come.
Wheelock College Honorary Degree recipients this year were (L to R) best-selling
author and children’s literacy advocate Kathryn Lasky, Jane Alexander, and Grammynominated
artist and founder of U.S. Dream Academy Wintley Phipps. Joining them
is President of Wheelock College Jackie Jenkins-Scott. (Don West photo) Both
Ms. Alexander and Ms. Jenkins-Scott are “Following In Her Footsteps” awardees.
So go out and make a difference. And remember that
change comes about through increments, step by step:
one mind connecting with another’s mind, one thought
connecting with another’s thought, one heart connecting
with another’s heart. You have been given the education
here to help you make it happen. Now use the arts to
tap into your creativity, and your imagination will draw
the paths for the future.
Tony and Emmy award-winning actress and former chairwoman of The National Endowment for the Arts, Ms. Alexander is famous not only for her portrayals of Eleanor in
two television productions, Eleanor and Franklin (1976) and Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years (1977). She has received or been nominated for twenty-five theatrical
awards (too numerous to mention here) and recently starred on Broadway in Edward Albee’s “The Lady from Dubuque”.

Dear Friends of Val-Kill:
OHIO CHAPTER’S
JERI DIEHL CUSACK TO
PRESENT AN EVENING
WITH ELEANOR
On Wednesday, September 19th, Jeri Diehl
Cusack, founder of our Midwest Chapter,
will present an evening with Eleanor
Roosevelt in Worthington, Ohio. The program,
sponsored by the Griswold Center
of the Worthington Parks and Recreation
Department, includes a dinner followed by
a showing of HER’s film “Close to Home”
NOTES FROM THE CHAIR
CAROL HILLMAN
I have had the best, most challenging, most satisfying time as Chair of
Honoring Eleanor Roosevelt. I am gratified at what has been accomplished
during Claudine Bacher’s and my time as your Chairs. In 13 short years, working together, we
have raised over one million dollars to preserve Eleanor Roosevelt’s legacy and her beloved
home. Among our accomplishments, we are most proud of producing a new film about ER’s
life, establishing new exhibit space at Val-Kill, and supporting the Park Service in its work to
restore artifacts to the cottage and preserve Val-Kill for future generations. We’ve also presented
our “Following in Her Footsteps” award to eight remarkable women: Hillary Rodham
Clinton, Jane Alexander, Geraldine Ferraro, Cathy Douglas Stone, Jackie Jenkins-Scott, Chobee
Hoy, Judith Hope and Ernestine Schlant Bradley. But, after six years, it is now time for the chairmanship
to return to New York, and I am thrilled to report that, in July 2012, Claudine and
Georgie Gatch will be taking on the roles of interim co-chairs of Honoring Eleanor Roosevelt.
As we look back at our accomplishments with justifiable pride, we, of course, must also
acknowledge responsibility for the work still undone. One of our most exciting initiatives, the
stone cottage exhibits, which will illuminate ER’s early years at Val-Kill and the extraordinary
progressive women who had such an impact on her, are not yet fully funded. They are designed
and ready to go but require an additional $170,000 for completion.
I cannot over stress the importance of these exhibits in telling the story of Val-Kill and its
impact on Eleanor. Your continued support will be crucial in bringing this period of ER’s life to
the public. The exhibits will also serve as the basis for seminars which the Park Service hopes
to develop in the cottage which, after all, was the original Val-Kill Cottage. Thus, as always, please
be as generous as possible with your annual gift, which will allow completion and installation of
the exhibits in the very near future.
We are working and looking toward the future on a number of fronts: Georgie Gatch is working
on our goals and strategies; Barbara Levy has developed a membership plan; Betsy Shure
Gross is working with me, Barbara and Lia Poorvu on envisioning how to broaden the impact of
the Stone Cottage exhibits; Priscilla Douglas and Cathy Douglas Stone have been helping us
envision the future; and Claudine Bacher is focusing on our organizational development.
We are always eager to hear from you. Please share your thoughts about Eleanor’s legacy and
Val-Kill. Envisioning the future of Honoring Eleanor Roosevelt includes each of you.
With gratitude for all your past and continuing support,
Warm regards,
Carol
Jeri is holding her prized
copy of a book containing
Eleanor’s “My Day” columns.
and a presentation on the life of the
woman who became known as “The First
Lady of the World.”
In addition to the September 19th event,
in 2011 Jeri delivered six presentations on
ER and our organization at meetings all
over the State of Ohio.
Honoring
Eleanor Roosevelt
A Project to Preserve Her Val-Kill Home
Hillary Rodham Clinton, Founding Chair,
Save America’s Treasures
Claudine Bacher, Founding Chair,
Honoring ER
Carol Hillman, Chair, Honoring ER
National Park Service
Sarah Olson, Superintendent, Roosevelt-
Vanderbilt National Historic Sites
Executive Committee
Claudine Bacher
Mary Champenois, Emerita
Jeri Diehl Cusack
Georgie Gatch
Betsy Shure Gross
Carol Hillman
Barbara A. Levy
Bobbie Greene McCarthy
National Council Members
Jane Alexander
Allida M. Black, PhD
Blanche Wiesen Cook, PhD
Susan Curnan
Priscilla H. Douglas EdD
Deborah Duran
Susan Eisenhower
Hamilton Fish III
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
Blanche K. Goldstein, Esq.
Senator & Mrs. Bob Graham
Pamela Hayes, Esq.
Cheryl Bell Homer
Risa A. Levine, Esq.
Representative Nita Lowey
Harriet Millrose
Sally Minard
Richard Moe
Sharon Patrick
Lia Poorvu
James & Ann Roosevelt
Eleanor Seagraves
Silda Wall Spitzer, Esq.
Cathy Douglas Stone, Esq.
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend
The Honorable
Christine Todd Whitman
Staff
Judith Ross Morris, Editor & Designer,
The View from Val-Kill Cottage
We welcome your comments. Please contact
judithross_morris@yahoo.com.
Visit our website:
www.honoringeleanorroosevelt.org
Join us on
Search “Honoring Eleanor Roosevelt”

Honoring ElEanor roosEvElt
A Project To Preserve Her Val-Kill Home
would likE to acknowlEdgE tHE gEnErous contributions
of our valuEd supportErs in 2011
Benefactors: Over $10,000
Claudine & Fred Bacher Cathy Douglas Stone & Jim Stone
Patrons: $5,000-$9,999
Tufts Health Plan Carol & Howard Hillman Lia & Bill Poorvu
Donors: $1,000-$4,999
Hunt Alternatives Fund Nancy Edman Feldman Patricia Kenner James & Ann Roosevelt
Ben Aspel & Joyce Plotkin Georgie & Mac Gatch Lisa LaCava & Susan P. Curnan Sue Sampson
Priscilla H. Douglas Betsy Shure Gross & Gary Gross Barbara Fish Lee Mary Ellen & John Serino
Harron Ellenson Cheryl & Ron Homer Rosalind Robbins
Carl E.Baylis
Sponsors: $500-$999
Joen Greenwood Judy & Arthur Obermayer
Robert Blum Linda & Steven Kanner Karen & Michael Rotenberg
Faye Chandler
Community Foundation of New Jersey
Irma Mann
Michael Maynard & Ilene Greenberg
Supporters: $250-$499
Anna P. Umana
Marilyn & Barnett Berliner Barbara Grossman Susan Martin Etta Rosen
Janet Cady Sandra & Louis Grotta Arlene Mattison Ann Sargent
Bonnie Clendenning Elizabeth Gulevich Helaine Miller Peter & Margaret Sherin
Robert Daves Joel Ives Harriet Millrose Janet Solinger
Geri Denterlein John & Mimi Kaplan Judith & John Miodownik Anne St. Goar
Jeri Diehl Cusack Charlotte Klein Laurie & Dick Noble Ann Stevens
Barbara E. Fargo Linda Lerner Marilyn O'Rourke William Stoneman
Leo Moss & Judith Feingold Dr. Sally H. Lunt Sarah Peskin Crispin Weinberg
Andrew Friedland & Marilyn Levitt Barbara Mackey Joyce Roche Ken Elgart & Nancy Korman
Felice Axelrod Judith Ross Morris
Friends: $100-$249
Richard T. Leary Michael & Patricia Ruane
Joan Bartos Frim Field Philip & Caroline Loughlin Elza Rohan Sharpe
Christine Bishop Frances Shedd Fisher Barbara Lowenstein Linda Sharpe
Ann Bucciarelli Elizabeth Floor Sean Lynn-Jones Zephorene Stickney
Frances Burke Nancy Frey Bobbie Greene McCarthy Katharine Stone
Catherine & Paul Buttenwieser Marvin E. Gilmore Brette McSweeney Marilyn Swartz-Lloyd
J. Christopher and Keena Clifford Robin Grumman-Vogt Jesse Mermell Susan Thomases
Susan Colson Judith Hart John Park Kathryn Tomasek
Elizabeth Cook Idelle Howitt Joanne Patton Alair Townsend
Helen Cook F. June Jones Anne Paulsen Jane Weingarten
Judith & Tapas Das Gupta Mary Jane Keane Erna Place Sallyann Wekstein
Tarsi Dunlop Ann Kneisel Gloria Prager Erica Wolf
Dianthe Eisendrath Sandra Krakoff Nancy Roberts
Guild R.S.Z. Laurie Dopkins
Members: $25-$99
Rosemary Lategano Roy Schifilliti
Carol Hill Albert Emilie Drooker Lois L. Lindauer & Bill Seitz Nancy Schulman
Jane Alexander Claire Eliasberg Dennis Livingston John F. Sears
Fernando Arimany Catherine Farrell Jennifer Maertz Kim Setoodeh
Patricia Bardano Michelle Freshman Denise Marcil Lenore Shepard
Meredith Bernstein Marcella Freund Jacquelyn Mayfield Carla Singer
Victoria Bond Kathe Friedman Miriam Michael Irene Skolnick
Elaine Brodey Dianne Palter Andrew Monyseowisz Marte Smith-Marston
Elizabeth Browder Andrea Goodman Joe Morein Kathleen Snow
Dale Burg Gail Gordon Pat Morris Judy Steckler
Elaine Champagne Susan Gracey Zorica Pantic Martha Roby Stephens
Kee Chan Susan H. Green Elaine Pierce Elizabeth Taylor-Mead
Jewel Chin Anita & Franklin Hannoch Deborah Raptopoulos Laurie Taymer-Berry
Faye Cokinos Nancy Hansbury Evelyn Renold Pamela Title
Pat Cunningham Micky S. Hillman Teddy Richmond Helene VanDernoot
Carole De Saram Suzanne Hudson Ruth Ann Rosenthal Irena Vodenska
Beatriz Alba del Rio Slavenka Kan-Hansen Cindy Rowe Barbara Welter
Herma Deween Elaine Kerner Veronica Reed Ryback Judith Woodruff
Ellen W. Dixon Rosalie Kerr Janice Schacter Martha Workstel
Joan Dolan David Kuttler Sally Scharf
8 9

My Day
July 4, 1952
By Eleanor Roosevelt
HYDE PARK—Today we mark another
Fourth of July, and I hope throughout the
country all of us will re-read the Declaration
of Independence.
This document, written by our forefathers,
breathes a spirit of devotion to liberty.
This document was written by men who
were adventurers. For a variety of reasons
they had left their own countries and come
to live in a new world.
Just crossing the ocean in those days was
a terrifying undertaking, and one that only
hardy souls would undertake. Would the
small ships they traveled in survive the
storm? Would the food they took last for
the journey? Would disease and death visit
them aboard their crowded ship? What
would they find in the new world? How
would they survive to the next harvest?
Would the people in the new land be friends
or foes?
Everything was a gamble, a gamble for
very high stakes—namely, life or death.
To these men who came to this country,
being revolutionists was nothing new. Since
they had won in the difficult gamble of
establishing themselves in this new world, it
All correspondence:
Carol Hillman
Honoring Eleanor Roosevelt
287 Kent Street, Suite 2
Brookline, MA 02446
DON’T LET
YESTERDAY
TAKE UP TOO
MUCH
OF TODAY
Eleanor Roosevelt
It Was 50 Years Ago...
probably did not seem to them so impossible
to overthrow a sovereign across the sea!
They succeeded in establishing the
United States of today, and we are the inheritors
not only of these first adventurers but
of the many waves of immigrants who followed
year after year. New people constantly
left their countries for freedom's sake or
feeling that here there was a livelihood to be
achieved that could not be gained in the
homes they were leaving behind.
We must not be allowed to forget that
our forefathers had little security. Each generation
took care of itself. That is probably
one of the things we should always remember
on the Fourth of July.
We seek to build a world in which our
children may be more secure with material
needs and from fears of aggression from
without. But perhaps we should not want to
spare our children, since it is the things that
we have to struggle for that are most important
to us. And each generation should have
some measure of struggle.
We have acquired in this country a fair
amount of physical ease over the years, but
we must not let that blind us to the fact that
we have a struggle still before us which is as
much a spiritual as a material struggle. Our
forefathers came here for freedom's sake
and we must not barter away that freedom.
It is as important to us today as it was to
them. The right to think and express our
thoughts, the right to listen to whatever we
choose, the right to meet and talk with
whomever we choose—these are still
important to us.
It is said that the scientific mind or the creative
mind in any of the arts cannot really
develop unless the atmosphere in which it
functions is free. That same atmosphere is
necessary for the full development of any
human personality. And if this country is to
continue to be the kind of country envisioned
by the authors of the Declaration of
Independence we will have to weigh very
carefully the various kinds of dangers that
surround us and decide how best we can
preserve our total freedom.
Having convictions and confidence in
ourselves and in what we live for is the only
real thing on which we can base our freedom
and our security today, just as it was in
1776.
Honoring Eleanor Roosevelt A Project to Preserve Her Val-Kill Home is a priority project of
Save America’s Treasures and a project of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
We support Val-Kill through a public private partnership with the National Park Service.
All donations made to the “National Trust” with “Val-Kill” in the memo line are 100%
tax deductible.