The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

Amy  

historical fiction

The First Ladies is about the close friendship and effective civil rights team of First Lady of the United States, Eleanor Roosevelt, and First Lady of the Struggle, Mary McLeod Bethune. It is a fictionalized version of their story based on a lot of genuine facts, with some facts tweaked to enhance the authors’ highlighted points, and some inventions to fill in the holes.

I believe this is the first book I’ve read about an African American woman who was born into slavery and freed in her youth. I’ve read about slaves and about descendants of slaves and about freed men but never a freed woman. And what an incredible woman she was! I loved learning about Mary McLeod Bethune. She was such an proactive, intuitive person who spearheaded many important changes for the African American community. I had never heard of her before reading this novel but I feel like everyone should learn about her! She was at the forefront of so many important groups focusing on education and equal rights. She was responsible for bringing several women’s groups together and leading them under the umbrella of the National Association of Colored Women so that they would have a voice in government. She rallied for national anti-lynching legislation. She was involved in the earliest civil rights movements.

Mrs. Bethune (as she like to be called) befriended Eleanor Roosevelt before Franklin D Roosevelt’s New York Governorship. They initially bonded over matters of education but soon partnered in pushing for equal rights for African Americans. Eleanor had goals as a First Lady and made great strides in advancing ideas and improvements that were important to her. When Eleanor and Mary worked together, their natural individual talents complemented each other and proved to be very effective. The two weren’t only political partners. They formed a close friendship and were there for each other. It was a great story! I loved learning about these impressive women.

As always with fictionalized history, you never know whether the author(s) captured the true personality of any character. But I hope that Mrs. Bethune was captured as accurately as possible. I admire her! And, of course, I’ve always admired Eleanor Roosevelt.

The audiobook was narrated by Robin Miles (voicing Bethune) and Tavia Gilbert (voicing Roosevelt). They were fantastic!  Both had large vocal repertoires and were excellent voice actors!  I give them an A!  Brava!