04/29/2026
In the early 20th century, many women were unfortunately not present in politics. That societal inhibition was certainly not due to a lack of effort amongst female activists, and finally under Franklin D. Roosevelt's national leadership, women and citizens of minority groups were beginning to find seats at the policy-making tables. In FDR's committees, you might find one female representative, but you better believe that she was often sitting at the head of the table. One such humble visionary was Anna Rosenberg.
Anna Rosenberg fostered diplomatic change throughout Franklin Roosevelt's entire career. As a labor relations expert, Anna advised FDR during his campaigns for New York governor in the late 1920s and 1930s. Once Roosevelt became the chief executive of the United States in 1933, Anna transitioned to pivotal roles within New Deal committees and eventually defense initiatives during World War II.
When the Social Security Board was instituted in 1935, Anna acted as the regional director for New York. When activists such as A. Philip Randolph and Walter White demanded racial equality in the military and defense industries, Anna organized collaborative meetings with them to craft Executive Order 8802 barring racial discrimination in hiring processes. When FDR wished to learn of soldiers' welfare and expectations when they returned to the United States, he sent Anna in the shadow of D-Day directly to Europe to interview the troops.
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Anna Rosenberg did not shy away from danger or difficult conversations, and the examples listed here are a mere sampling of the accolades she amassed. If you wish to know more about this remarkable woman of positive change, please follow the link in the comments to an article written by Christopher C. Gorham.
Furthermore, you can join our Parks & Pages book club tomorrow to hear from Mr. Gorham himself. His acclaimed book about the life of Mrs. Rosenberg, The Confidante, is the topic of discussion tomorrow, April 30, from 6 to 7 PM at the Henry A. Wallace Visitor Center. The book club will meet physically, but we have also provided a Microsoft Teams link for those who wish to attend virtually. Check the comments below for the Teams link and the Facebook event link. Mr. Gorham will join the Teams call virtually near the end for a question-and-answer session. We hope you can make it!
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Photo: Mrs. Anna Rosenberg became the first American citizen to receive the Medal of Freedom on October 29, 1945. The medal was presented to Mrs. Rosenberg by Secretary of War Robert P. Patterson. The award was given on the recommendation of General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower in recognition of Mrs. Rosenberg's work overseas. Courtesy of the US National Archives and Harry S. Truman Library & Museum
