Eleanor Roosevelt's Nightly Prayer: The Religious Life of the First Lady of the World

(Hardback)

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A deep exploration of how Eleanor Roosevelt's Christian faith led her to become one of the most well-known and praised humanitarians.

A great woman who was heavily involved in politics, Eleanor Roosevelt is considered one of the most important and beloved First Ladies and female leaders. Her faith and beliefs are commonly dismissed as confines of her upbringing that she broke free from; however, her dedication to the Episcopal Church and her reliance on Jesus's teachings imply otherwise. Her nightly prayer, famously recorded in her writing, demonstrates her approach to serving her community and nation, and her inspiration and strength in the politics she was involved in become apparent when understanding the context of her religion and considering the fulfillment of her beliefs through her actions. In reviewing observations from family members, her own writing, and her participation in the church, Mitchell examines the impact of Eleanor's faith on her work, and by extension, its impact on the world.

Author Bio

Donn Mitchell is a professor at Fordham University. He has previously taught at the General Theological Seminary, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Manhattan College. Mitchell is the author of Tread the Citys Streets Again: Frances Perkins Shares Her Theology, and has contributed to A Promise to All Generations, edited by Kirsten Downey and Christopher Breiseth, as well as Rebuilding Communion: Who Pays the Price, edited by Peter Francis. His work has appeared in The Christian Century, The Living Church, and Anglican Theological Review. He lives in Princeton, New Jersey.