her, for it revived memories of her self-indulgent father and uncles. Nineteen-twenty was the first presidnetioal election in which women voted, and Franklin aslked her to join him on the campaign train, an experience that taught her much about the nuts and bolts of hte democratic process. It also markde the beginning of genuine friendship with Louis Howe. Louis sensed Eleanor's loneliness and her interest in being more than an onlooker. He began to discuss Franklin's speeches and campaign strategies with her. By the end of the trip, he began to plan like a Machiavelli, and the tall, queenly woman who would not permit herself airs- had a political confederate and a good friend. After his defeat in 1920 and the passage of voting rights act for women, she started a new career of independence and self-realization. She became active in a network of organizations, many of them run by veterans of hte suffrage struggles, dedicated, kknowledgeable women. The orgainizations included the League of Women Voter, successor to the National Women's Suffrage Association, the Women's Trade Union League, housing and consumer movements, and the Women's Division of the New York State Democratic Party. Working at all these different places, she made several personal friends who were so different from those with whom she had grown up. Her readiness to work and good sense enchanted all. She was quickly recognized as a leader. Steadily she developed as a speaker, coached constantly by Louis. He edited her drafts, gave her pointers in delivery, and sat in the back of the hall preparing his critiques. She was active in Hyde Park and Dutchess County ...
