Women in History

Women in history have changed their objectives, but how they obtain their goals are sometimes similar. Cleopatra, destined to become the last queen of the Macedonian dynasty, was born in 69 B.C. She was part of a long line of royalty and strived for power. After her father Ptolemy XII died in 51 B.C., he gave the throne to his son and Cleopatra. Since Cleopatra was older than her brother, she became the more dominant ruler. Cleopatra married her brother Ptolemy XIII, and took on a lover called Julius Caesar. While in Rome Cleopatra was there when Caesar died and soon after her return to Alexandria Ptolemy XIII drowned in the river. The heirs to Caesars throne were Augustus and Antony. Antony came to Egypt and soon fell in love with Cleopatra. After Octavian (Augustus) beat their combined power, Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide. Cleopatra, although her circumstances may have been different she still encompasses similarities to today’s modern woman.
Eleanor Roosevelt was one of the most active First Ladies in society. She was born on October 11, 1884.   She married her distant cousin Franklin Roosevelt and they had 6 children. She followed him around the states for his job in the U.S. government. Eleanor grew up in a wealthy family. Both her parents and one brother all died before she 10 years of age. Eleanor did a lot of volunteer work and was very involved in her husbands’ role in society. “In 1918 Eleanor discovered that Franklin had been having an affair with her social secretary, Lucy Mercer.”(internet) When she tried to break off the marriage Franklin refused and the couple went into routine of doing their own thing. After being first lady for 12 years, her turn suddenly cam to and end. FDR had unexpectedly passed away. After his death, Eleanor was still involved in politics and was apart of the United Nations. She was appointed as chair on the commission of women. “She continued to write books and articles, and the last of her “My Day” columns appeared...