Today, my favorite gossip columnist mentioned a letter from Eleanor Roosevelt to a woman who had written to her critically for having done oleomargarine commercials. Eleanor was gracious, as one would expect, gently pointing out that the commercials had all ready been completed and were no longer modifiable. And that, no, she wasn't ashamed of herself for participating.
What do you suppose she said, in her rich lady, plummy voice? What is there to say about oleo? It's not a dairy product? It tastes so/so? Less is more, but it works pretty well for cookies? Eschewing butter is good for the war effort? No doubt someone has reached back into radio archives and located the Roosevelt commercials and they will soon be available on YouTube. Until then, speculation is kinda fun.
I may be even more imagination-deprived than I'd like to think, but it never occurred to me to write to a president's wife to take her to task for some social misstep. What are the odds that you'd get a gracious reply?
How about this:
Dear Mrs. Truman: Even though you are pretty old and grew up in some middle of the country place where it's impossible to find a copy of Vogue magazine, let alone underwire bras, it would certainly reflect better on your short husband if you made some kind of effort, fashion-wise.
There is nothing impressive about flowered house dresses and grey hair. Your daughter is also a fashion slouch and will probably never be attractive enough to find someone to marry, unless you help her develop a sense of style.
I suggest you convene the top New York designers and perhaps a French one, for pointers on lingerie and accessories. Once you have experienced the joy of a well-cut jacket, there will be no turning back and our country can once again feel a stirring of civic pride in the appearance of our leader's wife. Maybe you could get Mr. Truman into at least a tweed jacket, if not an Italian suit. In hopes of seeing changes soon, I am a female person who votes.
Could have changed the course of history. Maybe.
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