The Eleanor & Anna Roosevelt Program

The Eleanor and Anna Roosevelt Program aired over ABC between 8 November 1948 and 26 August, 1949. The fifteen-minute program initially aired between 10:45 and 11:00 am three days a week, but in March 1949 it moved to the afternoons, and aired between 4:45 and 5:00 pm five days a week for the remainder of its run. The program consisted of short segments in which Anna Roosevelt discussed the news of the day, combined with clips of ER also discussing hot topics or interviewing guests.

The two women were rarely in the same studio at the time of recording, and ER often recorded her segments with the idea that they might be incorporated into the program on any date. Because of this, most of the remaining recordings are of partial programs, and ERPP has been unable to establish the dates on which most of these clips aired. Therefore, when we have been unable to provide an air date for a program it is listed by the catalog date at the original repository (these often seem to correspond to recording dates), and all entries indicate whether the date is the air date or a catalog date. We have also included a full listing of air dates (and guests, when the newspapers listed that information) under "Full Program Schedule."

November 1948

November 8, 1948 (air date). In the inaugural episode, Anna Roosevelt, broadcasting from Hollywood, introduces the show and discusses the presidential election. From Paris, ER talks about Truman's reelection and ejecting the Dixiecrats from power. Anna then returns to discuss news of the day, sports for women, and fashion.

November 10, 1948 (air date). From Hollywood, Anna discusses Armistice Day. From Paris, ER talks to UN Secretary General Trygve Lie. Later, Anna talks about National Cat Week and the time she spent living in the White House.

November 10, 1948 (catalog date). In this segment, ER discusses the situation in Germany following World War II and how to maintain peaceful US/German relations.

November 12, 1948 (catalog date). From Hollywood, Anna talks about the need for better public schooling in order for America to compete in the world. From Paris, ER discusses the conflict in Greece with Secretary of State George Marshall.

November 15, 1948 (catalog date). From Hollywood, Anna Roosevelt talks about world events including the birth of Prince Charles of England and Hideki Tojo's death sentence. From London, ER talks about her trip to London and the unveiling of an FDR memorial there. Anna reads a letter from a listener thanking Anna and ER for their new radio program.

November 17, 1948 (air date). From Hollywood, Anna Roosevelt defends FDR's performance at Yalta which had recently been called into question by a reporter. From Paris, ER interviews Henry Morgenthau Jr. on Israel's refusal to relinquish control of the Negev desert.

November 19, 1948 (air date). From Hollywood, Anna Roosevelt talks about the appointment of John Foster Dulles to Acting Chief Delegate to the United Nations. From Paris, ER interviews a French female journalist about the recent French elections. Anna Roosevelt argues that the best way to prevent communism is to combat poverty and prevent economic depressions.

December 1948

December 15, 1948 (catalog date). ER and Anna Roosevelt talk about long range solutions to US and Soviet relations and the threat of communists within the US. They also discuss the successes and failures of the Marshall Plan.

December 15, 1948 (catalog date). In this segment, ER discusses her Christmas shopping.

January 1949

January 18, 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER interviews Claire Towsly, director of public interest of the New York Community Service Society.

January 18, 1949 (catalog date and confirmed recording date). In this segment, ER interviews Dr. Robert Jung, editor of The Good News Bulletin.

January 18, 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER talks about the recent raises given to the president and vice president.

January 26, 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER discusses her "Voice of America" broadcast.

January 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER speaks to Sarah Gibson Blanding, the first female president of Vassar College.

January 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER reads a letter from the president of the French Republic, Vincent Auriel.

January 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER discusses French farming habits and the responsibilities of French farm women.

February 1949

February 4, 1949 (air date). In this segment, ER interviews playwright Robert Sherwood.

February 11, 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER discusses President Truman's "bold new program" for underdeveloped nations, the "Point Four" program.

February 11, 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER discusses advertising practices and the need for American businesses to expand into international markets.

February 11, 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER discusses the structure and function of the United Nations and its many committees.

February 11, 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER discusses her dog, Fala, a Scottish terrier.

February 16, 1949 (air date). In this segment, ER discusses efforts to fight heart disease with Louise Baer, vice chairman of the New York Heart Campaign.

March 1949

March 9, 1949 (catalog date). In Hollywood, ER and Anna Roosevelt talk about the ethical obligations of news reporters and the slanting of news against certain races and ethnicities. Later in the episode, Anna Roosevelt and ER name Mrs. C. K. Allen, wife of the superintendent of Rhodes House at Oxford University, as Woman of the Day.

March 30, 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER talks about the coming of spring to Hyde Park.

March 30, 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER discusses how to be an active participant in government.

March 30, 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER discusses the coming of spring to Washington Square and New York City.

April 1949

April 14, 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER discusses the German industry exhibit held at the New York Museum of Science and Industry.

April 27, 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER discusses the difficulties of parenthood.

April 27, 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER discusses a Soviet law that denies exit visas for women married to foreign men.

April 27, 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER discusses the purpose of Social Security benefits.

April 27, 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER discusses whether or not women are meeting their responsibilities with Dorcas Campbell, assistant vice president of the East River Savings Bank.

April 27, 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER interviews Brooks Mendell about his veteran rehabilitation program, "I-Do."

May 1949

May 4, 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER discusses how little the press understands about public officials.

May 4, 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER interviews Helen Ferris, director of the Junior Literary Guild.

May 4, 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER discusses adult education with Mary Urban, an official with the New School for Social Research.

May 4, 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER discusses the aims of the NAACP with Charles Levy, executive secretary of the New York branch of the NAACP.

May 16, 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER discusses the recent trend in debating high and middle-brow culture and the importance of humility for intellectuals.

May 18, 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER discusses the 1949 Opportunity Drive for US savings bonds and the importance of purchasing these bonds.

May 18, 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER discusses her dog Fala's daily routine.

May 18, 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER remarks on her receiving an award from the Women's National Press Club and discuses other women who have won the award.

May 18, 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER discusses the Arthur Miller play Death of a Salesman.

June 1949

June 3, 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER interviews Helen Kennedy Stevens, service director of the Iran Foundation.

June 3, 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER interviews Lillian Crum, the president of the American Association of University Women.

June 3, 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER interviews Lucile Heming, a member of the national board of the League of Women Voters.

June 3, 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER discusses the organization Allied Artists of America with sculptor Ruth Brall.

June 21, 1949 (air date). In this segment, ER interviews Eunice Carter, an attorney and chairman of the board of trustees of the National Council of Negro Women.

July 1949

July 12, 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER discusses the industrial and economic advances being made in the American South and the corresponding changes in the region's political and race relations.

July 21, 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER discusses a report made by the American Friends Service Committee.

July 27, 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER interviews reporter Vincent Sheean about his book Lead, Kindly Light.

August 1949

August 4, 1949 (catalog date). In this segment, ER discusses a report written by John McCloy, the American high-commissioner-designate in Germany, regarding the status of Jewish people living in Germany.

Full Program Schedule

Episode 1: November 8, 1948.
Episode 2: November 10, 1948. Guest Trygve Lie.
Episode 3: November 12, 1948. Guest Henry Morgenthau, Jr.
Episode 4: November 15, 1948. Guest Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit.
Episode 5: November 17, 1948.
Episode 6: November 19, 1948. Guest Geneviève Tabouis.
Episode 7: November 22, 1948.
Episode 8: November 24, 1948. Guest Madame Chiang.
Episode 9: November 26, 1948.
Episode 10: November 29, 1948.
Episode 11: December 1, 1948.
Episode 12: December 3, 1948. Guest Eddie Cantor.
Episode 13: December 6, 1948.
Episode 14: December 8, 1948. Guest Millie "Ma" Sanders.
Episode 15: December 10, 1948. Guest Will Durant.
Episode 16: December 13, 1948.
Episode 17: December 15, 1948.
Episode 18: December 17, 1948.
Episode 19: December 20, 1948.
Episode 20: December 22, 1948.
Episode 21: December 24, 1948.
Episode 22: December 27, 1948.
Episode 23: December 29, 1948.
Episode 24: December 31, 1948.
Episode 25: January 3, 1949.
Episode 26: January 5, 1949.
Episode 27: January 7, 1949.
Episode 28: January 10, 1949.
Episode 29: January 12, 1949.
Episode 30: January 14, 1949.
Episode 31: January 17, 1949.
Episode 32: January 19, 1949.
Episode 33: January 21, 1949.
Episode 34: January 24, 1949.
Episode 35: January 26, 1949.
Episode 36: January 28, 1949.
Episode 37: January 31, 1949.
Episode 38: February 2, 1949.
Episode 39: February 4, 1949. Guest Robert Sherwood.
Episode 40: February 7, 1949.
Episode 41: February 9, 1949. Guest Bonnie Cashin.
Episode 42: February 11, 1949. Guest Mary McLeod Bethune.
Episode 43: February 14, 1949.
Episode 44: February 16, 1949. Guest Louise Baer.
Episode 45: February 18, 1949. Guest Ida Lupino.
Episode 46: February 21, 1949.
Episode 47: February 23, 1949. Guest Eleaine Carrington.
Episode 48: February 25, 1949.
Episode 49: February 28, 1949.
Episode 50: March 2, 1949.
Episode 51: March 4, 1949.
Episode 52: March 7, 1949. (Note: program moves to 4:45 pm and begins to air every weekday)
Episode 53: March 8, 1949.
Episode 54: March 9, 1949.
Episode 55: March 10, 1949. Guest Norman Cousins.
Episode 56: March 11, 1949.
Episode 57: March 14, 1949.
Episode 58: March 15, 1949.
Episode 59: March 16, 1949.
Episode 60: March 17, 1949.
Episode 61: March 18, 1949.
Episode 62: March 21, 1949.
Episode 63: March 22, 1949.
Episode 64: March 23, 1949. Guest Henri Bonnet.
Episode 65: March 24, 1949.
Episode 66: March 25, 1949.
Episode 67: March 28, 1949.
Episode 68: March 29, 1949.
Episode 69: March 30, 1949.
Episode 70: March 31, 1949.
Episode 71: April 1, 1949.
Episode 72: April 5, 1949.
Episode 73: April 6, 1949.
Episode 74: April 7, 1949.
Episode 75: April 8, 1949.
Episode 76: April 11, 1949.
Episode 77: April 12, 1949.
Episode 78: April 13, 1949.
Episode 79: April 14, 1949.
Episode 80: April 15, 1949.
Episode 81: April 18, 1949.
Episode 82: April 19, 1949. Guest Tallulah Bankhead.
Episode 83: April 20, 1949.
Episode 84: April 21, 1949.
Episode 85: April 22, 1949. Guest Frances Taussig.
Episode 86: April 25, 1949.
Episode 87: April 26, 1949.
Episode 88: April 27, 1949.
Episode 89: April 28, 1949. Guest Judge Doris Byrne.
Episode 90: April 29, 1949.
Episode 91: May 2, 1949.
Episode 92: May 3, 1949.
Episode 93: May 4, 1949.
Episode 94: May 5, 1949.
Episode 95: May 6, 1949.
Episode 96: May 9, 1949.
Episode 97: May 10, 1949.
Episode 98: May 11, 1949.
Episode 99: May 12, 1949.
Episode 100: May 13, 1949.
Episode 101: May 16, 1949.
Episode 102: May 17, 1949.
Episode 103: May 18, 1949.
Episode 104: May 19, 1949. Guest Greta (Mrs. Gregory) Peck.
Episode 105: May 20, 1949.
Episode 106: May 23, 1949.
Episode 107: May 24, 1949. Guest Ralph Bunche.
Episode 108: May 25, 1949.
Episode 109: May 26, 1949.
Episode 110: May 27, 1949.
Episode 111: May 30, 1949.
Episode 112: May 31, 1949.
Episode 113: June 1, 1949.
Episode 114: June 2, 1949.
Episode 115: June 3, 1949.
Episode 116: June 6, 1949.
Episode 117: June 7, 1949.
Episode 118: June 8, 1949.
Episode 119: June 9, 1949. Guest Mrs. William Barclay Parsons.
Episode 120: June 10, 1949.
Episode 121: June 13, 1949.
Episode 122: June 14, 1949.
Episode 123: June 15, 1949.
Episode 124: June 16, 1949.
Episode 125: June 17, 1949.
Episode 126: June 20, 1949.
Episode 127: June 21, 1949. Guest Eunice Carter.
Episode 128: June 22, 1949. Guest Mrs. H. Gordon Freeman.
Episode 129: June 23, 1949. Guest Frances Farmer Wilder.
Episode 130: June 24, 1949. Guest Rose Schneiderman.
Episode 131: June 27, 1949.
Episode 132: June 28, 1949.
Episode 133: June 29, 1949.
Episode 134: June 30, 1949.
Episode 135: July 1, 1949.
Episode 136: July 4, 1949.
Episode 137: July 5, 1949.
Episode 138: July 6, 1949.
Episode 139: July 7, 1949. Guest Emma (Mrs. Samuel) Lewisohn.
Episode 140: July 8, 1949.
Episode 141: July 11, 1949.
Episode 142: July 12, 1949.
Episode 143: July 13, 1949. Guest Florence Reynolds.
Episode 144: July 14, 1949. Guest Agnes Underwood.
Episode 145: July 15, 1949.
Episode 146: July 18, 1949.
Episode 147: July 19, 1949.
Episode 148: July 20, 1949.
Episode 149: July 21, 1949. Guest Helen Ferris.
Episode 150: July 22, 1949.
Episode 151: July 25, 1949.
Episode 152: July 26, 1949.
Episode 153: July 27, 1949.
Episode 154: July 28, 1949.
Episode 155: July 29, 1949.
Episode 156: August 1, 1949.
Episode 157: August 2, 1949.
Episode 158: August 3, 1949.
Episode 159: August 4, 1949.
Episode 160: August 5, 1949.
Episode 161: August 8, 1949.
Episode 162: August 9, 1949.
Episode 163: August 10, 1949. Guest Lois Lensky.
Episode 164: August 11, 1949.
Episode 165: August 12, 1949. Guest Norman Corwin.
Episode 166: August 15, 1949.
Episode 167: August 16, 1949.
Episode 168: August 17, 1949.
Episode 169: August 18, 1949.
Episode 170: August 19, 1949.
Episode 171: August 22, 1949.
Episode 172: August 23, 1949.
Episode 173: August 24, 1949.
Episode 174: August 25, 1949.
Episode 175: August 26, 1949. Final episode.

Note: When newspapers listed a woman as "Mrs. [husband's full name]", we have attempted to provide her full name, but have left her husband's names in parentheses since these women were often known by their husband's name.