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BIDDEFORD, Maine

Granddaughter of FDR visits UNE campus

Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, CEO of Portland-based Goodwill Industries of Northern New England, visited the University of New England’s Biddeford Campus today to see the war letters exhibit at the Jack S. Ketchum Library.

The exhibit, titled “Write Again Soon: Letters from World War II,” was created by History students at UNE. It features images and letters from World War II with interpretive text researched and written by students. It encompasses three different themes: the Homefront; Frontlines; and Romance and relationships in WWII.

The granddaughter of former president Franklin Delano Roosevelt and first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt spoke with some of the students who had participated in creating the war letters exhibit from source material housed in UNE’s Randall J. Cushing Collection, a compilation of more than 2,000 letters from both World Wars. Shannon Cardinal, Kayla Lindros and Jazmyn Ireland were among the students who participated. UNE President Danielle N. Ripich, Ph.D., also attended. 

"It was a privilege to meet Ms. Roosevelt and an honor to have her take such an interest in the 'Write Again Soon' exhibit," said Elizabeth De Wolfe, Ph.D., professor of History and chair of the Department of History and Philosophy. "She asked great questions and shared wonderful insights about her grandmother. I am so pleased that my students had the opportunity to share their work with such a distinguished guest."

Added Cardinal, a junior double-majoring in History and English: "Anna Eleanor Roosevelt's visit was an exciting opportunity to connect with an accomplished and active citizen, and a member of one of America's most prominent families. It was great to gain some valuable insight into her mission and interests, and to share with her the "Write Again Soon" exhibit the HIS 290 team is so proud of  creating."

Although FDR died three years before she was born, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt got the chance to know her grandmother before her death when Anna was 13 years old.

She was particularly interested to see UNE’s unique treatment of World War II, which the United States entered under her grandfather's leadership after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. FDR was known as one of “The Big Three,” along with Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin at the outset of the war, as he and other world leaders joined forces in opposition to Germany, Italy and Japan. 

 

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.