If anyone knew what it meant to overcome adversity and achieve greatness despite obstacles, it was the 32nd President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt.
When he was paralyzed by polio at the age of 39, most experts concluded that his promising political career had come to a screeching halt. Undeterred, Roosevelt defied the pundits and rose to the top of his profession, eventually holding the presidency longer than any person before or since.
His attitude toward obstacles can be summed up with his response to someone who said, “Mr. President, you can’t do that.” Roosevelt replied, “I’ve done a lot of things that I can’t do.”
The Armless Wonder Who Rose Above Her Circumstances
By just about every standard of society, no one should have heard about Kathryn M.R. Smith (1882-1967). Horribly disfigured at the hands of an abusive alcoholic father, the girl who went by the name Kittie wasn’t necessarily lucky to even be alive. One of her neighbors was heard to say that she would be better…
Victoria Woodhull: America’s First (Maybe) Woman Presidential Candidate
On May 9, 1872, Victoria Woodhull became the first woman nominated for U.S. president by the Equal Rights Party. Despite facing numerous challenges, including being constitutionally too young and jailed on election day, she made a significant impact on the women’s suffrage movement and issues of sexual freedom, inspiring future generations.
The Practical Joke that Resulted in the First Woman Mayor
When Susana Salter’s name appeared on the ballot on April 4, 1887, it was all supposed to be a late April Fools Day gag. As it turned out, the joke was on those who pulled the prank when she won the election and became the first woman elected as mayor in the United States. The…
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