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Bronxville High School Sophomores Uncover Eleanor Roosevelt’s Legacy for National History Day

By Blaine Malefatto, Syntax

Jan. 30, 2025: A group of 10th graders recently worked alongside historians and archivists at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park to conduct research on Eleanor Roosevelt’s “My Day” column for their National History Day project. Throughout the experience, they examined various archives of Roosevelt’s documents, including drafts of her column and photographs from her trip to the South Pacific in 1943.

“They were able to hold and look through Eleanor’s passport, handwritten rough drafts and even a thank-you note from Queen Elizabeth for the maple syrup she was sent as a Christmas gift from the Roosevelts,” teacher Dana Landesman said.

The students – Ellie Fahy, Diana McEnroe, Juliette McEnroe, Maggie Miner and Grace Van Tienhoven – are working on a documentary as part of the 2025 National History Day competition. Each year, students around the world discover history through National History Day by creating historical research projects, which is displayed in either paper, website, documentary, performance or exhibit. In celebration of the 50th anniversary, NHD’s 2025 theme is Rights and Responsibilities in History.

“Seeing students getting excited about history is truly special,” Landesman said. “Watching them do the work of historians and archivists, investigating and uncovering new information and realizing a passion for the study of the past makes the role of a history teacher.”

Fahy reflected on the experience and described it as grounding and astonishing for opening their eyes to the amazing work of Eleanor Roosevelt. They gained valuable insight about her life and relationship with her husband, Franklin.

“We learned about the type of person Eleanor was, and what experiences shaped her as a child and young woman,” Fahy said. “We also gained significant knowledge about her morals, especially regarding human rights, and we learned about the extensive work she put in to ensure future generations of minorities would be treated with equality and respect.”

Juliette McEnroe said that while she had previous knowledge of the influence and leadership of Eleanor Roosevelt, she gained a deeper understanding of the motivations and aspirations of the Roosevelts.

“We had the rare chance to look through archives of all the Roosevelts’ documents, which allowed us to explore history from a personal lens,” she said. “This trip was an outstanding opportunity where we deeply grasped the impact Eleanor Roosevelt had on shaping political responsibility and human rights.”

Diana McEnroe described Roosevelt’s “My Day” column as a powerful platform where she advocated for Americans’ civil rights, social responsibility and active citizenship.

“To be able to browse through such powerful and riveting pieces of history was a once-in-a-lifetime experience which gave us a window into the soul of Eleanor Roosevelt,” she said.

Miner described the experience as immensely informative and unforgettable.

“To be able to look through and examine the archives housed at the library was invaluable, and it adds a personal and unique touch to our final project – one that would not have been possible relying solely on internet research,” she said. “It was immensely informative and an unforgettable experience.”

 

Photo courtesy of the Bronxville Union Free School District

 

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