Radio and TV Personality

Eleanor Roosevelt's career as a radio and television personality started during the 1920s when she began speaking about public issues on New York radio stations. Later, as First Lady, she was interviewed on countless radio shows, commenting on news events and public policy. She also hosted several current events programs. In 1939, WNBC called her the "First Lady of Radio." Though she donated her radio fees to charity, ER endured criticism from some who felt this work was inappropriate.

After the war, ER expanded her radio appearances. In 1948-1949 she co-hosted The Eleanor and Anna Roosevelt Show on the ABC Radio network with her daughter. In 1950-1951 The Eleanor Roosevelt Program appeared on the NBC network. ER was also a guest on television news programs, including Meet the Press and Face the Nation. From 1959-1962 she hosted Prospects of Mankind for WGBH-TV in Boston.