If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would you choose? Why? by Karina

If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would you choose? Why? by Karina - February 2016 Scholarship Essay

Franklin D. Roosevelt is who I would choose to have dinner with if I could choose any historical figure. He is an inspiration to many who wish to assist and make an impact on the lives of others. Roosevelt guided the United States out of the Great Depression and through most of World War ll with his selfless acts.
Roosevelt realized that the American people needed him more than ever. He began to create acts that he hoped would end the Great Depression; among many others programs, he created the New Deal and the Works Progress Administration, which simultaneously provided employment for thousands of unemployed citizens and founded numerous national parks. Additionally, he created acts that would financially help people who were unemployed, retired, or disabled. Roosevelt set out to help not only those from his own country, but also those negatively affectively World War ll in other countries.
Roosevelt involved the United States in World War ll after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Although war was less than welcomed by many people, Roosevelt was able to bring some good out of the bad. He created a powerful military by establishing that draft which sent many men overseas, leaving the factory jobs to women. Additionally, he was able to bring the American people together to support the war efforts by creating drives for food, rubber, and paper. Roosevelt was able to make light out of almost anything.
Franklin D. Roosevelt held a quality that many presidents lacked: empathy. Due to his own afflictions, Roosevelt was able to understand and connect with what the American people were feeling during the hardships; for him, his daily life was a hardship. Roosevelt initiated his famous “Fireside Chats” on the radio to directly communicate and motivate every single person in the United States. His honest and calm empathy is what allowed him to change the United States for the better.
Although his innovations were not always popular at the the time, he had the insight and strength of character to persevere. Having the opportunity to talk to the man who was able to connect with thousands and bring a whole country out of crisis would be inspirational. Hearing from him personally about what motivated him to push forward and believe in the country would bring a sense of power to me and inspire me to use the same drive to push forward today and make a change myself.