Mrs. Ambassador: The Life and Politics of Eugenie Anderson

by Mary Dupont

Daughter. Sister. Wife. Mother. Diplomat. Eugenie Anderson of Red Wing, Minnesota, played many roles in a life that virtually spanned the twentieth century. She cherished her family but purposely sought a larger stage, one on which she could affect world events and contribute to a brighter future.

Motivated by concern over the rise of communism, Anderson brought energy and eloquence to the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, becoming a friend and lifelong advisor to Hubert Humphrey. Anderson achieved historic diplomatic status when President Harry Truman appointed her the first woman ambassador for the United States with a post to Denmark in 1949. She went on to serve in Communist Bulgaria and at the United Nations. Tirelessly advocating for human rights, Anderson pushed against expectations set by society and the media and in the process demonstrated that diplomacy’s requisite skills—intelligence, poise, determination—are held by women and men alike.

In Mrs. Ambassador, Eugenie Anderson's granddaughter Mary Dupont explores a political life led with certainty about what Anderson stood for as a representative of the United States and a personal life led with just as much assurance. The result: an enticing narrative about a mid-twentieth-century politician who championed democratic ideals at home and around the world.

304 pages, Book

Published March 1, 2019

Reviews

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic look at a historic woman that most probably don’t know much about. Eugenie “Genie” Moore Anderson was critical in the beginning of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, and had a lifelong political friendship with Hubert Humphrey. She was the first woman to ever hold the rank of Ambassador when she was appointed by President Truman in 1949 to represent the US at the embassy in Denmark. A little over a decade later she was appointed by President Kennedy as the first woman to be an Ambassador behind the Iron Curtain in Bulgaria. President Johnson made her the first woman to represent the US at the United Nations, including the first woman from the US to sit on the Security Council when the Chief US Diplomat was absent.

DuPont paints a loving picture of her grandmother Genie, but makes sure to look at her through the lens of history, and through source materials and interviews with Eugenie’s peers.

[Tess Mertens-Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eugenie Moore Anderson was a pioneer woman in politics.
Born in Iowa, her family moved to MN and married John Anderson, a man of privilege and with an alcohol problem. They moved to Mew York City for piano scholarship at Julliard for Eugenie. John practiced his art of painting and she began to follow politics during WWII.
They moved back and Eugenie became active in the DFL party, and was noted by Harry Truman and became the first female Ambassador, assigned to Denmark.
This book follows her political and personal life. She remained active in politics through also being ambassador in Bulgaria and as a representative to the United Nations. She was active into her elder years and died in her husband’s hometown of Red Wing, MN.
I thought this was well written, but I wonder if parts of her journey, the part where she as a woman in a man’s world was sugar coated. It is written by her granddaughter and was an amazing tribute.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book categorized as "Biography/Women's History/Political Science crosses those genres, and so much more. Eugenie Anderson was a groundbreaking politician in the local (Minnesota), national, and international level - who happened to be a woman. It's a history of the political parties in Minnesota, the emergence of feminism (which she took to part in, she lived the role), a study in global diplomacy, a biography of sorts of Hubert Humphrey, insights into presidents Truman, Kennedy and LBJ - and personal story of Eugenie's life and family - the woman from Red Wing, MN.

My life overlapped her strongest years in politics and diplomacy, but until now I knew little about her story. Her granddaughter Mary Dupont skillfully brought her life and politics together in this well researched, well written historical gem.

[Mary Durben · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book, especially for anyone interested in Minnesota politics, Hubert Humphrey and Eugene McCarthy and women's issues. Eugene's rise to the Senate was Eugenie's loss. Anderson also faced many challenges as the first-ever female US ambassador. Author Mary Dupont is Anderson's granddaughter and has access to all the right sources including family. She tells the story from the perspective of a 21st century woman, noting that as a woman of her time she had to ignore sexist slights and soldier on. She didn't declare herself as a feminist but lived the life of a liberated woman. Dupont, a professional writer, does a very fine job.

[Suey Nordberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. A political biography might not be my first choice of a book to tackle, but this book read like a compelling story. I did not read it quickly, but let the details of each historical era soak in. Eugenie Anderson is one of my new favorite people. I just love her. She answered the call to become involved in helping our world on a very public stage, and she served with intelligence, energy and compassion. I am so grateful to have been introduced to her through this compelling book!

[Caz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rarely write reviews. I rarely read nonfiction and politics is not my wheelhouse at all, so writing a review seems beyond my expertise. My excuse is that I have known the author since we were 9 years old. I enjoyed this book. It is well written and easy to read - even for someone who doesn't proclaim to understand politics. I found myself cheering for Eugenie and her successes. This book will stick with me and I hope this author will continue to write and research.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely book. I did not know about all of Eugenie’s accomplishments. Also great source of information on the early days of the DFL. If you enjoy a well written biography of a pioneering woman, I think you will like this one. Well written.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting read of a part of MN history I knew nothing about. She's the kind of person we should learn about in school.

[Addie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the history, just not the more modern opinions...