(HOST) Commentator Madeleine Kunin recently received an honor that has inspired her to think about women and leadership – past, present and future.
(KUNIN) My mother read Eleanor Roosevelt’s column, called "My Day," every day, and I looked over her shoulder. I felt she was a familiar figure when I was recently awarded the Eleanor Rooseelt medal at Val-Kill in Hyde Park, her retreat.
Before the event, we were given a tour of her home by her grandson Elliot, who called her grandmere, accompanied by Doris Mack, who had worked for the family.
The remarkable thing about Val-Kill is not its grandeur but its modesty. Doris took us to the living room where, she pointed out, none of the furniture matched, just like her guests who came from all walks of life.
She was good to her staff but couldn’t keep a cook because she kept inviting guests and forgetting to inform the cook. One evening, during the cook’s night off, three people showed up at the door for dinner. Eleanor had forgotten.
What did she serve? Scrambled eggs, toast and champagne.
Eleanor had many wise words. I quoted one phrase in my remarks: "Courage is more exhilarating than fear, and in the long term, it is easier."
She exhibited uncommon courage when she resigned from the DAR in 1939 when they refused to let Marian Anderson sing in Constitution Hall. I read her letter.
"My dear Mrs. Henry M. Roberts,
I am afraid that I have never been a very useful member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, so I know it will make very little difference to you whether I resign.
However, I am in complete disagreement with the attitude taken in refusing Constitution Hall to a great artist. You have set an example which seems to me unfortunate, and I feel obliged to send in to you my resignation."
With that gesture, she changed race relations in this country.
Eleanor and I have different backgrounds, I did not come from a privileged political family. But we have something in common. She had to invent her life to become a different first lady. I had her to inspire me to invent my life and become a different politician.
The true meaning of this medal ceremony was made clear to me when I received this e-mail.
"Dear Mrs. Kunin. Congratulations on receiving your award on Sunday in Hyde Park. We are very proud of your accomplishments and as a leader, who just happens to be a woman. We are all involved in the leadership group at the Pomfret Elementary School where we are 6th graders. You are our modern Eleanor Roosevelt."
Signed, Morgan, Anna, Hayley, Dana, Jocelyn and Kaelen.