Leading Minds - Eleanor Roosevelt and More on Serving Options

All opinions in the blog are solely my own. They do not reflect those of the City of Melrose, the School Department, Melrose High School, or the Athletic Department.

"In spite of a lack of special talents, one can find a way to live widely and fully...I have had only three assets, I was keenly interested, I accepted every challenge and every opportunity to learn more, and I had great energy and self-discipline." - Eleanor Roosevelt

Mentioned with the death of Harry Belafonte were his friendship with a pair of leaders profiled in Howard Gardner's Leading Minds - Eleanor Roosevelt and Martin Luther King. It was coincidental as I reread parts of Gardner's book. 

Part of my coaching ethos includes women's empowerment stories, such as adventurer Arlene Blum and labor advocate and first Cabinet member, Frances Perkins. 

Leaders impact thoughts, behaviors, and feelings. In other words, they exert influence. Leaders make leaders. 

Gardner described three types of leadership - ordinary, innovative, and inspirational - Roosevelt fell into the latter. 

Eleanor Roosevelt held special significance in American history, as perhaps the most powerful and beloved First Lady, although not without detractors. Some wanted a quieter, more passive First Lady, objecting to her prominence, her platform, or both.  

Roosevelt was a strong advocate for the dual role of women during WWII both as workers and often as heads of households. She supported Civil Rights in a time when that was unpopular, advancing the cause of Black Americans in the military, the workplace, and home. 

Later she became an early representative to the United Nations. Journalist Raymond Clapper called her, "the most influential woman of our time." 

A Gloucester fisherman said of her, "she ain't dressed up and she ain't scared to talk." 

Gardner described a key message of hers, "reach out and try to help those who are less fortunate." She was highly principled, resigning from the DAR when they refused to let black contralto Marian Anderson sing in Constitution Hall in 1939. She listened and cared for people, sending support and sometimes a check. 

She understood her critics. "Every political woman should develop a skin as thick as a rhinoceros hide." Her life deserves study as an inspirational leader for both women and men. As student-athlete leaders, consider how you impact others. 

Lagniappe. Serving options. One of the most underrated servers in Melrose history was Alyssa DiRaffaele with a standing topspin 'slider'. You don't need a jump serve. DiRaffaele literally demolished Lincoln-Sudbury with her service game. 

Lagniappe 2. Topspin serves. 

Lagniappe 3. The 2011 sectional highlights. Note the use of hitting angles.