TY - BOOK AU - Benedict,Marie AU - Murray,Victoria Christopher TI - The first ladies SN - 9780593743782 PY - 2023///] CY - New York PB - Random House Large Print KW - Roosevelt, Eleanor, KW - Bethune, Mary McLeod, KW - Presidents' spouses KW - Fiction KW - Women civil rights workers KW - Female friendship KW - African Americans KW - Biographical fiction KW - lcgft KW - Historical fiction KW - Large print books KW - Novels N2 - Initially drawn together because of their shared belief in women's rights and the power of education, civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt fight together for justice and equality, holding each other's hands through tragedy and triumph; The daughter of formerly enslaved parents, Mary McLeod Bethune refuses to back down as white supremacists attempt to thwart her work. She marches on as an activist and an educator, and as her reputation grows she becomes a celebrity, revered 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 women's rights and the power of education, Mary and Eleanor become fast friends confiding their secrets, hopes and dreams--and holding each other's hands through tragedy and triumph. When Franklin Delano Roosevelt is elected president, the two women begin to collaborate more closely, particularly as Eleanor moves toward her own agenda separate from FDR, a consequence of the devastating discovery of her husband's secret love affair. Eleanor becomes a controversial First Lady for her outspokenness, particularly on civil rights. And when she receives threats because of her strong ties to Mary, it only fuels the women's desire to fight together for justice and equality ER -