Dancing Barefoot and Politicizing Dance at the White House: Eleanor Roosevelt and Martha Graham’s Collaboration During the Rise of Fascism in Europe

Abstract

Focusing on the collaboration between Eleanor Roosevelt and the modern dancer Martha Graham, the chapter analyzes the former First Lady’s intricate, courageous, and innovative relationship with American arts and American cultural diplomacy during a very sensitive and complicated historical time. Eleanor Roosevelt invited Martha Graham to perform “American Document” at the White House in 1937. Like in the case of Marion Anderson’s invitation, Graham’s performance of modernism and American art was not only a social event but a political statement. Most importantly, Mrs. Roosevelt’s innovative melange of arts and politics took place during a time when Americans did not believe yet in the power of the arts in making (and unmaking) political and diplomatic statements. Eleanor Roosevelt’s visionary involvement in the development of American cultural diplomacy continued during the 1950s; now a recognized politician and diplomat, she helped Martha Graham during her first tour in Europe. Even more so, when Mrs. Roosevelt’s old friend, Queen Juliana of the Netherlands, visited Hyde Park in 1952, she orchestrated the Queen’s meeting with Graham in New York City. Thus, on the occasion of Graham’s second European tour, in 1954, the Queen attended one of her performances. It was an unprecedented success for the dancer and American public diplomacy in Europe, on the background of which Eleanor Roosevelt played a major role.