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A novel about the extraordinary partnership between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune - a forbidden friendship that changed the world, from the New York Times bestselling authors of The Personal Librarian. The daughter of formerly enslaved parents, Mary McLeod Bethune refuses to back down as white supremacists attempt to thwart her work. She marches on as an activist and an educator, and as her reputation grows, she becomes a celebrity, renowned in the Black community, revered by titans of business, and recognized by U.S. Presidents. Eleanor Roosevelt herself is awestruck and eager to make her acquaintance. Upon meeting, Mary and Eleanor bond over their shared belief in women's rights and the power of education, and Mary quickly becomes a friend to the sheltered Eleanor, helping her better understand the plight of Black Americans.