Upper West Side in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt
1884 1962
Photographed by Larry Gertner, March 27, 2013
1. Anna Eleanor Roosevelt plaque
Born in New York City on October 11, 1884, she was orphaned at age ten and educated in England. She married Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1905 and bore six children between 1906 and 1916. She became a leader in New York States Democratic Party in the 1920s (sic) and served actively for four years as wife of Governor Roosevelt. From 1933 to 1946 she greatly expanded the role of First Lady of the United States. She fought for the advancement of labor, minorities, the poor, women and young people. She was appointed United States Delegate to the United Nations by President Truman in 1946. As Chair of the United Nation Commission on Human Rights, she led the successful effort that secured passage of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. She continued her work as teacher, writer, advocate, and humanitarian until her death on November 7, 1962.
Erected 1996 by Eleanor Roosevelt Monument Fund.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Women. In addition, it is included in the Eleanor Roosevelt series
this page online
Location. 40° 46.839′ N, 73° 59.148′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in the Upper West Side. It is at the intersection of Riverside Drive and West 72nd Street, on the left when traveling north on Riverside Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Riverside Park, New York NY 10023, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in New York City. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Eleanor Roosevelt Monument (a few steps from this marker); 246 West End Avenue (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Riverside Park South (about 700 feet away); 240 West End Avenue (about 700 feet away); George and Ira Gershwin (about 800 feet away); Hamilton Fountain
Other markers no longer nearby. Riverside Park (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Septuagesimo Uno (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Septuagesimo Uno (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Hamilton Fountain (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Also see . . .
1. Eleanor Roosevelt Memorial. Official NYC Parks description (Submitted on April 7, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Eleanor Roosevelt Biography. Franklin D. Roosevelt Library & Museum website entry (Submitted on April 7, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Larry Gertner, March 27, 2013
3. Anna Eleanor Roosevelt
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 30, 2025
4. Dedication plaque for the sculpture
Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm, or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity
Eleanor Roosevelt
1958
Note: The remainder of the quote is "...without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world."
Click for more information.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 30, 2025
5. Plaque on the grounds of the sculpture
She would rather light a candle than curse the darkness, and her glow has warmed the world.
Adlai E. Stevenson
1962
via Cause I Am A Girl, unknown
7. Anna Eleanor Roosevelt
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt
White House Historical Association (White House Collection)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 7, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 328 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 7, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 2. submitted on September 2, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on April 7, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 2, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 7. submitted on April 7, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
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