General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: President Obama wants faces of women on U.S. currency [View all]PatrickforO
(14,578 posts)My mom was a WWII era 'Rosie the riveter' who had a job with National Biscuit Company. Basically, when most men were drafted to go fight, the women had to go into the factories and produce armaments, food, etc. for the war effort. One of the greatest things Eleanor Roosevelt did was put subsidized child care centers near the factories where the women were working. This made it easier for the women to balance their work and children. The thing is, Franklin NEVER would have thought of that; it took someone like Eleanor who understood women's issues. She also contributed tremendously to the concept of basic human rights through her work with the United Nations.
Of course, after the war Republicans immediately got rid of the subsidized child care, and vetoed Eleanor's human rights agenda in the UN because they were afraid it might adversely affect US business interests (read profits).
But think of how far sighted Eleanor Roosevelt was; when women entered the workforce in a big way beginning in the 1980s the issues she addressed clear back in the 1940s were still relevant. Child care, health care, freedom from harassment, safe living and work environments - all those things.
Eleanor should be on our currency for sure.