The First Ladies

The Instant New York Times Bestseller! A novel about the extraordinary partnership between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod BethuneΓÇöan unlikely friendship that changed the world,from the New York Times bestselling authors of the Good Morning America Book Club pick The Personal Librarian. The daughter of formerly enslaved parentsMary McLeod Bethune refuses to back down as white supremacists attempt to thwart her work. She marches on as an activist and an educatorand as her reputation grows she becomes a celebrityrevered by titans of business and recognized by U.S. Presidents. Eleanor Roosevelt herself is awestruck and eager to make her acquaintance. Initially drawn together because of their shared belief in womenΓÇÖs rights and the power of educationMary and Eleanor become fast friends confiding their secretshopes and dreamsΓÇöand holding each otherΓÇÖs hands through tragedy and triumph. When Franklin Delano Roosevelt is elected presidentthe two women begin to collaborate more closelyparticularly as Eleanor moves toward her own agenda separate from FDRa consequence of the devastating discovery of her husbandΓÇÖs secret love affair. Eleanor becomes a controversial First Lady for her outspokennessparticularly on civil rights. And when she receives threats because of her strong ties to Maryit only fuels the womenΓÇÖs desire to fight together for justice and equality. This is the story of two differentyet equally formidablepassionateand committed womenand the way in which their singular friendship helped form the foundation for the modern civil rights movement.