Eleanor Lansing Dulles

Eleanor Lansing Dulles was a prominent American economist and diplomat who served in various capacities, including as a member of the United States Department of State and the United States Foreign Service. She was the sister of John Foster Dulles, the United States Secretary of State under Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Allen Welsh Dulles, the director of Central Intelligence Agency. Her work took her to various parts of the world, including Europe, where she was involved in the Marshall Plan, and Asia, where she worked with the United Nations. She was also associated with the Council on Foreign Relations and the Brookings Institution.

● Early Life and Education

Eleanor Lansing Dulles was born in Watertown, New York, to Allen Macy Dulles and Edith Foster Dulles. She was the sister of John Foster Dulles and Allen Welsh Dulles, both of whom played significant roles in United States foreign policy. She studied at Bryn Mawr College and later at Radcliffe College, where she earned her degree in economics. Her education also took her to Harvard University, where she was one of the first women to earn a degree in international relations. She was influenced by the works of Woodrow Wilson and his vision for the League of Nations, and she was also interested in the ideas of John Maynard Keynes and the Bretton Woods system.

● Career

Eleanor Lansing Dulles began her career as an economist, working with the United States Department of Labor and the Federal Reserve System. She was also a member of the National Bureau of Economic Research and worked with the Committee for Economic Development. Her work took her to Washington, D.C., where she was involved in the development of the Full Employment Act of 1946 and the Employment Act of 1946. She was also associated with the National Planning Association and the American Economic Association. She worked closely with Harry S. Truman and his administration, particularly on issues related to the Council of Economic Advisers and the National Security Council.

● Diplomatic Service

Eleanor Lansing Dulles joined the United States Foreign Service in the 1940s and served in various capacities, including as a member of the United States Mission to the United Nations and the United States Embassy in Berlin. She was involved in the development of the Marshall Plan and worked closely with George Marshall and Dean Acheson. She was also a member of the United States Delegation to the Paris Peace Conference and the United States Delegation to the Geneva Conference. Her work took her to various parts of Europe, including Germany, France, and Italy, where she worked with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Economic Community.

● Personal Life

Eleanor Lansing Dulles was known for her strong personality and her commitment to public service. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Colonial Dames of America. She was also associated with the National Council of Negro Women and the American Red Cross. She never married and dedicated her life to her work, which took her to various parts of the world, including Asia and Africa. She was a close friend of Nelson Rockefeller and worked with him on various projects, including the Rockefeller Foundation and the Council on Foreign Relations.

● Legacy

Eleanor Lansing Dulles left a lasting legacy in the field of economics and diplomacy. She was a pioneer for women in the United States Foreign Service and paved the way for future generations of women to serve in the diplomatic corps. She was also a strong advocate for international cooperation and was involved in the development of various international organizations, including the United Nations and the International Monetary Fund. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Jimmy Carter in 1979 and was also recognized by the American Economic Association and the National Academy of Sciences. Her work continues to be studied by scholars at Harvard University, Yale University, and Columbia University, and her legacy serves as an inspiration to young people around the world, particularly those interested in careers with the United States Agency for International Development and the World Bank.