Historically significant TLS, signed in fountain pen, “Eleanor Roosevelt,” and dated at the top in another hand, in pencil, “July 9th, 1944,” on an off-white 8 x 10.25 sheet. The quote reads, in full: “I feel about the equal rights amendment just as I have always felt, namely that until women are unionized to a far greater extent than they are at present, an equal rights amendment will work great hardship on the industrial group, which is after all, the largest group of wage-earning women . Therefore, at the present time for us as a party interested in the well-being and protection of the workers, to put into our platform an equal rights amendment, would be a grave mistake and in this I think all the leaders of the workers would concur.”
Accompanied by a TLS to Dorothy McAllister (head of the Democratic women's division), signed “Eleanor Roosevelt,” on White House letterhead, dated July 9, 1944. Letter reads, in full: “I may have your letter of July 5 and you may, of course, use my statement on Equal Rights, which you quote. I am sorry that I am not going to the Convention and will not therefore have the opportunity to see you.” In very good condition, with show-through from heavy pencil notations on reverse of quote, rusty paperclip mark to tops of both pages, creasing and toning to quote, as well as paper loss along bottom edge. Also accompanied by photocopies of a 1940 Chicago Tribune article on Mrs. Roosevelt's first public statement on the equal rights amendment, which the article termed a 'bombshell,’ as well as a copy of the letter McAllister sent to Mrs. Roosevelt on July 5, 1944.
The first lady was known for her commitment to women's full recognition by, and participation in, American politics and business, and she worked with women's groups around the nation to build their political base. However, Roosevelt did not endorse the notion of an amendment to the US Constitution establishing equal rights for women—a “grave mistake” in her opinion. That view was shared by most New Dealers and by northern Democrats.
Although the Republican Party included support of the ERA in its platform every presidential election year beginning in 1940, many in the Democratic Party viewed it as providing a blow to unions and labor laws, and invalidating existing protective labor legislation for women. “Until women are unionized to a far greater extent than they are at present, an equal rights amendment will work great hardship on the industrial group, which is after all, the largest group of wage-earning women,” Roosevelt states. Later in 1944, Democrats decided to include the ERA in their platform, with the first lady then withdrawing her opposition. RRAuction COA.
