Wreath-Laying At FDR Memorial Honors Eleanor Roosevelt’s Human Rights Legacy, Birthday

WASHINGTON, DC — The FDR Memorial Legacy Committee hosted a celebration on Monday to commemorate the 137th birthday of former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt with a wreath-laying ceremony at the FDR Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The wreath-laying coincided with the 75th anniversary of Eleanor Roosevelt becoming chair of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Members from the disability community, fans of Eleanor Roosevelt, volunteers and supporters gathered by the bronze statue of the First Lady standing before the United Nations emblem, the only depiction of a First Lady at a presidential memorial, to celebrate her birthday.

“It’s a true honor to be part of today’s ceremony,” said Dr. Kirk Adams, president and CEO of the American Foundation for the Blind. “We’re so very proud to be included in this sacred trust of honoring Eleanor Roosevelt and her legacy of tireless, tireless advocacy for justice and inclusion of people with disabilities.”

Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was born in New York City on Oct, 11, 1884, and died at her New York City home on Nov. 7, 1962, at the age of 78.

The American Foundation for the Blind recently released its archives of Helen Keller, which includes correspondence with Eleanor Roosevelt, who was a friend of Keller’s and an ally of disability rights.

In 1939, Roosevelt was named Honorary President of the Girl Scouts, and served in that role throughout her tenure as First Lady. At Monday’s event, Girl Scout Troop 4720 acknowledged Eleanor Roosevelt’s impact by reading a few historical artifacts that represented her fondness for the Girl Scouts.