Ruby A. Black: Eleanor Roosevelt, Puerto Rico, and Political Journalism in Washington(Women in American Political History)

This book presents the story of Ruby A. Black, a feminist who broke new ground for women in Washington journalism in the 1920s and 1930s as a correspondent for a Puerto Rican newspaper and the first biographer of Eleanor Roosevelt. It offers access to the secret correspondence that shows how Black used her friendship with Roosevelt to advance the political career of Luis Muñoz Marín, Puerto Rico's first elected governor. The book describes Black’s effort, ultimately unsuccessful, to become both a well-regarded journalist and a political operative in the nation’s capital, a feat particularly difficult for a woman. It contends Black’s closeness to Roosevelt proved both a help and a hindrance to Black’s stature as a journalist.

Table of Contents:
Prologue Chapter 1: Growing Up in Texas Chapter 2: Finding a New World Chapter 3: Gaining a Washington Foothold Chapter 4: Joining Mrs. R’s “Inner Circle” at Press Conferences Chapter 5: Advocating for Puerto Rico Chapter 6: Appearing Successful Chapter 7: Disillusioning Experiences Chapter 8: Looking to Eleanor Chapter 9: Pinning Hopes on Biography Chapter 10: Disappointing Years About the Author

About the Author :
Maurine H. Beasley is professor emerita at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Review :
Bringing new insight to the world of feminist writer, Ruby A. Black, Maurine Beasley weaves together an intricate story combining the personal and work life of this Washington D.C. journalist. Beasley's well-written biography of Black is based on detailed research in the available records and primary sources related to Black's life and career. Beasley does an excellent job of portraying Black's life and explaining the impact she had on the development of relationships between influential people in Washington and Puerto Rico. Although not the primary factor in the outcome of these relationships, Black was a key component in their origination, and Beasley does an excellent job of explaining her role. The leading scholar of first ladies and the press, Maurine H. Beasley has written an involving and fast-paced account of the life of Ruby A. Black, an early Eleanor Roosevelt biographer, a gifted Washington reporter, and an advocate for Puerto Rico during the New Deal ear. Public libraries, universities, and general readers will want to own this fine addition to Beasley's impressive body of work. Once again Beasley has done the hard work for all of us. Drawing upon an impressive range of archival source material and her own encyclopedic knowledge of the period, Beasley has made it impossible to ignore the powerful pen that women journalists like Ruby A. Black wielded in New Deal Washington, the dynamic relationship they shared with Eleanor Roosevelt, or the synergy that enabled both to shape policy even in places as unexpected as Puerto Rico. We need more books like this one, and Beasley's achievement here is such that they will doubtlessly follow in its wake. This book offers a fascinating look at Ruby A. Black, a journalist, activist, and author of the first biography of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Using the letters exchanged between Black, Roosevelt, and others, Beasley crafts a compelling tale of a reporter turned advocate who used her friendship with the First Lady to draw attention to the struggles of the Puerto Rican people and lobby for political change in the island. While Black is the central figure in the narrative, Beasley also includes rich details about the lives of the women reporters who covered Mrs. Roosevelt, the First Lady’s behind-the-scenes political influence, and Puerto Rican history, making this a must-read for multiple audiences.