Eleanor McGovern

Eleanor Stegeberg McGovern, born Eleanor Fay Stegeberg (November 5, 1921 – January 25, 2007), was the wife of George McGovern, a prominent United States politician, who served as a U.S. Senator from South Dakota (1963-1981) and as the defeated Democratic presidential nominee in 1972.cite web |url=http://www.mcgoverncenter.com/eleanor.htm |title=Eleanor McGovern: 1921 - 2007 |accessdate=2008-07-18 |publisher=McGovern Center for Leadership and Public Service |year=2008 ]

Born in Woonsocket, South Dakota, she grew up on her family's farm.cite web |url=http://www.nndb.com/people/903/000022837/ |title=George McGovern |accessdate=2008-07-18 |work=NNDB |publisher=Soylent Communications] Her mother died when she was only 12, leaving her and her twin sister Ila responsible for the whole upkeep of the household and the raising of their younger sister, as well as instilling a longstanding sense of compassion for the hardships of others. As a teenager, Eleanor was interested in political and social issues and joined debate teams, first at Woonsocket High School and later during her one year at Dakota Wesleyan University. During one student debate, in her native Woonsocket, she met George McGovern after she and Ila defeated McGovern and his partner. They were married after just few months, on October 31, 1943.

Financial difficulties would force her to withdraw from college, but she soon found work as a legal secretary. Together, the McGoverns would have and raise five children: their daughters Ann, Susan, Mary, and Teresa, and their son Steven.

Eleanor was an active political wife, especially during the 1972 presidential election, when her husband won the Democratic nomination. She featured on the cover of "Time" magazine with Pat Nixon - the wife of incumbent Republican President Richard Nixon, McGovern's opponent and the eventual winner.

After defeat for the Presidency and for a fourth Senate term, George and Eleanor remained active, particularly in combating world hunger. She was also greatly concerned with issues relating to child development, and with the fight against alcoholism, which had contributed to the death of her daughter, Teresa, in 1994.

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