eleanor roosevelt

eleanor roosevelt (1884-1962), first lady from 1933 to 1945 as wife to franklin delano roosevelt, was well known as a political figure and activist. less well known, however, is her relationship with lorena “hick” hickok (1893–1968). eleanor and hick first met in 1928, when hick, working as an associated press reporter, was assigned to interview eleanor. the two fell in love, so hick resigned from the associated press and effectively moved into the white house. the press at the time referred to the two as the first lady and the first friend. eleanor and hick wrote feverishly to each other for the next three decades. hick wrote to eleanor “I want to put my arms around you and kiss you at the corner of your mouth” (5 december 1933). eleanor wore a sapphire ring hick gave her to the 1933 presidential inauguration. of the ring, eleanor wrote to hick, “ I want to put my arms around you, I ache to hold you close. Your ring is a great comfort, I look at it and think she does love me, or I wouldn’t be wearing it!”