The Alice Roosevelt Guide To Being Bold And Audacious

The annals of history are brimming with captivating individuals, each with their own remarkable tale to tell. One individual who stands out is Alice Roosevelt, the eldest daughter of former President Theodore Roosevelt. 

Renowned for her razor-sharp sense of humour, bold demeanour, and unparalleled uniqueness, Alice has created a lasting impression that extends beyond her time in the White House. Her life exemplifies how fortitude, bravery, and a refusal to fit in can leave a lasting impact on the world.

The early years 

Alice Lee Roosevelt was born into a world stained by death. The oldest child of President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt and socialite Alice Hathaway Lee made her grand entrance on February 12, 1884, in the Roosevelt family home at 6 West 57th Street in New York City.

Tragically, the new mother passed away just two days after giving birth as a result of undiagnosed kidney failure that the pregnancy had concealed. And because life likes to kick you when you're down, Teddy's mother, Martha Stewart Bulloch, had also succumbed to typhoid fever only hours earlier.

Though tinged with tragedy, Alice's entrance into the world stirred complex emotions in Teddy Roosevelt. Overwhelmed by insurmountable grief, he found it too painful to call their daughter by her given name, Alice Lee. Instead, he affectionately referred to her as "Baby Lee." He became so averse to hearing the name "Alice" that he forbade anyone else from saying it in his presence.

Following the passing of Alice's mother, she came under the care of her aunt, Anna "Bamie" Roosevelt. At the same time, her father ventured out to conquer the rugged landscapes of the Dakota Territory.

The evil stepmother

In 1886, after Teddy's adventurous trip, he tied the knot with his high school sweetheart, Edith Carow. Together, they relocated to Oyster Bay, and Alice moved in with them at Sagamore Hill.

Regrettably, for Alice, this new family came equipped with an evil stepmother.

You see, Carow still had lingering envy of Teddy Roosevelt's past marriage, and like any sensible adult, she took out her insecurities and frustrations on the young Alice Roosevelt. In fact, she once hotly exclaimed to the girl that if her mother were alive, she would have bored Teddy to death! To the surprise of no one, the relationship between Carow and Alice only got worse as the latter transformed into a striking young woman.

Simultaneously, Teddy had his own Disney villain arc and grew distant from his daughter, showing an irritating reluctance to address her by her name. Instead, Alice became known as "Sister" to her father and all her siblings. Consequently, she felt a growing disconnect from her father. She believed that he favoured her five half-siblings from Carow over her.

Yet, amidst the chaos, Alice Roosevelt became more spirited and fiercely independent. Carow struggled to keep a teenage Alice under control and begged Teddy to send her to a boarding school in New York City. In response, the spirited young girl boldly warned her father in writing, "If you send me, I will humiliate you. I will do something that will shame you. I tell you, I will."

To Carow's disappointment, Teddy, the aspiring president, finally relented and granted Alice the freedom she longed for. Carow wasted no time sharing her thoughts about her wayward daughter, commenting, "She had a knack for running wild with every boy in town." Consequently, Alice Roosevelt was sent back to her aunt Anna.

Cherishing individuality

Upon her father's ascension to the presidency in 1901, Alice discovered herself revelling in the spotlight at the tender age of 17. While her dad and stepmom might not have always seen eye to eye with her antics, the American public simply couldn't resist falling head over heels for her.

And honestly, it's easy to see why the public and media were captivated by this young woman. During an era when societal norms placed strict expectations on women, Alice boldly defied them!

Alice, with her bold and fearless nature, proudly declared herself a Pagan, playfully dismissing Christianity as "sheer voodoo."

She roared through the Washington streets in fast cars while scandalously delighted in the company of unmarried young men. Party after party kept her out until the wee hours. And who could forget her notorious habit of placing bets on sporting events and horse races?

Plus, there was the pet snake that she kept in her handbag.

And what did her father have to say about all of this? Upon discovering photographs of Alice smoking cigarettes in the newspaper shortly after assuming office, Theodore Roosevelt decided it was necessary to have a conversation with her regarding appropriate conduct and the public's perception of a president's daughter.

Like any dad, he instructed her that "there will be no smoking under my roof." To her credit, Alice listened to her dad and did not smoke under his roof. Instead, she chose to scale the roof of the White House to indulge in a smoke, cleverly sidestepping any direct defiance of her father's rule.

Critics scorned her unconventional behaviour, labelling Alice as a source of shame for challenging the societal expectations placed upon women. However, her devoted supporters far outnumbered those who chastised her. So much so that the White House mail room had to employ an extra receptionist solely to sift through Alice's overflowing fan mail.

President Theodore Roosevelt humorously replied when asked about his relaxed approach to his spirited daughter, "I can either run the country or attend to Alice, but I simply cannot do both."

As we can see, Alice Roosevelt was nothing if not unique. From her sense of style to her outspoken demeanour, Alice asserted her presence in a conservative society. These actions weren't mere acts of rebellion but expressions of her refusal to be marginalised in a male-dominated world.

Conclusion

Alice Roosevelt is a woman who was ahead of her time in every way imaginable. Her rebellious spirit and cavalier attitude paved the way for future generations of women who sought to break free from traditional roles. She was an icon of her era, always living life on her terms and challenging societal norms. Alice's adventurous spirit, sharp mind, and bold personality are just a few reasons she continues to fascinate us today.