Eleanor Roosevelt

Obama Presidential Center Honoree

Eleanor Roosevelt

Space Name: Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit and Vegetable Garden | Campus Grounds 

Eleanor Roosevelt, the longest-serving First Lady of the United States, was a humanitarian, equal rights advocate, and educator known for her compassion and empathy. Roosevelt believed societies flourish when individuals understand and respect each other. As a U.N. delegate, she played a pivotal role in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, using her platform to advance equality among all people, inspiring future generations to do the same.

With gratitude to Connie Ballmer

“ Few people have demonstrated courage and inspired the world like Eleanor Roosevelt. She was a voice for civil rights, an outspoken advocate against racial injustice, and fought for expanded roles for women in the workplace in a time before such views were broadly accepted.”

–Connie Balmer

Legacy on Campus

  • Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit and Vegetable Garden

    The Fruit and Vegetable Garden—inspired by Mrs. Obama’s commitment to health and wellness and Eleanor Roosevelt’s planting of a World War II victory at the White House—inspires people to learn more about growing and making our own food, a process that nourishes our soul, empowers us and allows us to care for ourselves and others. 

  • Garden Gatherings

    Join the Center for a series of events that celebrate healthy living, sustainability, and community. Featuring live music and hands-on gardening activities in the garden kitchen classroom.

    Learn More

Make a gift in honor of your heroes

Your honorary gift will help us inspire, empower, and connect leaders from around the world to take on the biggest challenges of our time.

The Barack Obama Foundation is registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 46-4950751).

John Lewis

Meet More Honorees

Through the honoree naming initiative at the Obama Presidential Center, we are partnering with our donors to celebrate a part of the history in which the Obama story is so deeply rooted by associating a named space with a hero, moment, or person "on whose shoulders we stand"—an honoree who made the Obamas’ story possible.

Meet More Honorees