Senior center hosts portrayal of Eleanor Roosevelt

Members of the Ironton Senior Center took a trip back in time to see the nation’s longest-serving first lady.

“Hello, ladies,” she said. “I am Eleanor Roosevelt, the widow of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. I’m so glad you visited me today at my apartment in New York City.”

Roosevelt, who lived in the White House from 1933-1945 through the Great Depression and World War II, was portrayed by Jean Fuller Butler, a retired teacher from Hanging Rock, Rock Hill and South Point elementary schools.

Wearing a pink dress and wig, Butler led the audience through the life of Roosevelt, who, through her outspoken activism, redefined the role of first lady.

She spoke of her awkward years growing up in Manhattan to socialite parents, who considered her the “ugly duckling.”

“In addition to braces for my shoulders, I had to wear braces for my wayward teeth,” Fuller, as Roosevelt said.

She spoke about meeting the man who would become her husband and would be elected as America’s 32nd president, her fifth cousin Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The two first met as children, becoming closer as they grew older.

“We had long talks and soon we were dating regularly,”

she said.

They were engaged in fall of 1904 and married the following year. She was given away by uncle, President Theodore Roosevelt, who was serving in the White House at the time.

Franklin famously had an affair with Mercer, of which Eleanor was aware.

“I offered him a divorce, but, because of the children and his political career, we stayed together.”

In addition to the affair, the marriage saw Franklin stricken with polio and left wheelchair-bound. As a result of these two experiences, Eleanor decided to renew her interest in politics, and began giving speeches, something she had a fear of.

After serving as first lady of New York, she accompanied her husband, a Democrat, to Washington.

She spoke of Roosevelt’s duties in the position, visiting England during World War II and serving as hostess when the king and queen came to the United States. She served the royal family hot dogs.

“I am a poor cook and only know how to cook hot dogs and scrambled eggs,” she said. “For me, food is merely something to sustain life.”

Following the president’s death in 1945, Eleanor moved to New York City, where she continued to be active as a columnist, a delegate to the United Nations and served as the first chair of the UN Commission on Human Rights.

Butler, 89, does a variety of portrayals of historical figures, such as first ladies, which she specializes, queens of England and others.

She’s written a number of books on genealogy, a topic she is quite passionate about.

She portrayed Roosevelt on Tuesday night at an Elk Club meeting in Kentucky and often appears at libraries and local schools. She said staying active is one way she copes, following the death of her husband Donald, who passed away six years ago.

“I miss him every day,” she said.

And the portrayals give her a chance to continue her passion for teaching.

“I love doing them,” she said.

The senior center has more events planned for the month.

On Friday, U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio, will host a town hall question and answer session at the center and will have lunch with the group. Those who wish to join the lunch can register by calling 740-533-1863.

On Aug. 23, the center will host a picnic, beginning at noon under the shelter at the nearby Ironton Farmers Market.