Eleanor Roosevelt's "My Day" Column about Resigning from DAR
2/27/1939
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In January 1939, the Daughters of the American revolution denied Howard University's petition to use Constitution Hall for a performance by Marian Anderson. On February 26, 1939, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt submitted her letter of resignation to the DAR president, declaring that the DAR had an opportunity to lead in an enlightened way but had failed to do so.
The following day, Mrs. Roosevelt addressed the issue in her "My Day" column, published in newspapers across the country. Without mentioning the DAR or Anderson by name, Eleanor couched her decision in terms everyone could understand: whether one should resign from an organization you disagree with or remain and try to change it from within. Mrs. Roosevelt told her readers that in this situation, “To remain as a member implies approval of that action, therefore I am resigning.”
On April 9th, Marian Anderson performed at the Lincoln Memorial. The Easter Sunday event was attended by tens of thousands of fans, and the radio broadcast allowed for millions more to celebrate Anderson’s talent and performance. The concert was seen as an early victory in the battle for civil rights.
The following day, Mrs. Roosevelt addressed the issue in her "My Day" column, published in newspapers across the country. Without mentioning the DAR or Anderson by name, Eleanor couched her decision in terms everyone could understand: whether one should resign from an organization you disagree with or remain and try to change it from within. Mrs. Roosevelt told her readers that in this situation, “To remain as a member implies approval of that action, therefore I am resigning.”
On April 9th, Marian Anderson performed at the Lincoln Memorial. The Easter Sunday event was attended by tens of thousands of fans, and the radio broadcast allowed for millions more to celebrate Anderson’s talent and performance. The concert was seen as an early victory in the battle for civil rights.
This primary source comes from the FDR-ER: Anna Eleanor Roosevelt Papers.
Full Citation: Eleanor Roosevelt's 'My Day' Column about Resigning from Daughters of the American Revolution; 2/27/1939; Speech and Article File, 1917 - 1962; FDR-ER: Anna Eleanor Roosevelt Papers; Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/eleanor-roosevelts-my-day-column-resigning-dar, May 31, 2023]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
