Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt has lunch with students at the Ohio State University on November 13, 1959.
Notice the purse under her arm in the first photo? Did you know, in her later years, Eleanor Roosevelt was a "pistol packing" liberal? Pictured in the second photo (discovered at the FDR Library) is her pistol permit. Former First Ladies did not have Secret Service protection until 1964 and Eleanor had numerous death threats against her and a bounty for her head by the KKK for her outspoken support of civil rights throughout the 1950s. It is said that she always carried a gun in her purse when she traveled. Tom Betti spoke with tour guides at great length at her home in Hyde Park, New York and they insist she target practiced and was ready to defend herself! She was never afraid of anyone, but prepared to defend friends, herself, and what she believed in. One thing is clear from her ID photo, don't mess with Eleanor!
Courtesy of Columbus Landmarks Foundation
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1 comment:
Many celebrities have private guards or personal firearms, but fight the 2nd amendment for the rest of the poor, ordinary folk whose lives aren't so important. Good for Eleanor!
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