Kahlenbeck, Josie2018-05-072018-05-072018-05http://hdl.handle.net/11299/196423University of Minnesota Final Project. Spring 2018. Degree: Master of Liberal Studies. Advisor: Sarah Chambers.This thesis is a cross-cultural examination of how Eleanor Roosevelt and Eva Perón broke gender norms and redefined the role of first lady in the United States and Argentina. I examine the expectations for women in the early and mid-20th century and analyze how Roosevelt and Perón's actions were within and beyond these expectations. I find that Roosevelt's language was less forceful and groundbreaking than that of Perón, who was able to mix her strong visual presence with forceful language to create a Peronist image, and broke gender norms more than Roosevelt.enEva PeronEleanor Rooseveltfirst ladyUnited StatesArgentinawomenpoliticsThesis or Dissertation