The President Will See You Now

On September 1, 1939, Marguerite "Missy" LeHand awoke from her bed to the sound of the telephone ringing. Quick to her duties, she took the call. The voice on the other end informed her of the news that would forever transform the world and lead to the beginning of World War II... Hitler had invaded Poland.

It was time to wake the president...

As the "unofficial" first female Chief of Staff to the commander-in-chief, Ms. LeHand was unequivocally one of the most influential people of the Roosevelt era, supporting Franklin D. Roosevelt "FDR" for nearly 22 years.

LeHand held many titles and positions while working for FDR. Starting in 1920, she worked on his campaign for Vice President. Following Roosevelt's defeat, she was asked by his wife, Eleanor, to join their family at Hyde Park to complete the campaign correspondence. Soon after, she was hired as Roosevelt's personal secretary, and in the summer of 1921, she was with FDR after he received the devastating diagnosis of Polio. Later, they went on to create the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation, the first polio rehabilitation facility in the United States. By the time Roosevelt became president, their partnership would be unmatched.

Marguerite's unwavering loyalty and support of Roosevelt and his family during his time as Governor of New York and his four terms as President of the United States took its toll. The US was living in unprecedented times; between the Great Depression, the war, FDR's constant need for support, and working in a male-dominated political sphere, Missy chose to forgo marriage and a family. Some historians believe the president and Marguerite had a romantic relationship, but this is pure speculation. With such a public-facing role, Missy became famous in her own right. She made the cover of TIME magazine in 1934, and Newsweek published multiple articles about her, claiming she was the president's "super-secretary."

In 1936, after FDR's Chief of Staff (then called Secretary to the President) Louis Howe resigned due to a decline in health, Missy took over the role. Unfortunately, the role was without an official title, and she made three times less than Howe. Proving how difficult it was for women to be in business or politics at that time.

LeHand worked next to President Roosevelt until a stroke in 1941 left her speechless. She passed away three years later. It is easy to forget that historical giants like Franklin D. Roosevelt didn't become who they were without the support of others like Marguerite. She was a trailblazer and epitomized fidelity and adaptability shaping one of the most consequential presidencies in American history.