Chapters 17 and 18 Summary

During the four years that Franklin is governor of New York, he and Eleanor fully support each other's agendas but also guard their own interests and initiatives. The marriage between Franklin and Eleanor is one of respect but other people and interests consume most of their time and the governor's mansion is a constant site of both casual and formal entertaining. The days of gaiety are brought to a somber close in October of 1929 when the U.S. Stock Market crashes, plunging the United States into the Great Depression.

Instead of reining in her efforts on women's rights and equality issues, Eleanor increases her communications, encouraging women to buy small businesses because of the value of women's management skills that will help bring the country back to prosperity. While Eleanor does not discourage any woman from seeking employment, she does encourage...