--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I came upon a telegram from Eleanor…" description: "\"I came upon a telegram from Eleanor Roosevelt herself to Gypsy Rose Lee that read, 'May your bare ass always be shining'. That was the clincher; I had ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/046/karen-abbott-13658_ass_i-came-upon-a-telegram-from-eleanor-roos_2784024.jpg" --- # I came upon a telegram from Eleanor Roosevelt herself to… ![“I came upon a telegram from Eleanor Roosevelt herself to Gypsy Rose Lee that read, 'May your bare ass always be shining'. That was the clincher; I had to write about this woman.” quote by Karen Abbott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/046/karen-abbott-13658_ass_i-came-upon-a-telegram-from-eleanor-roos_2784024.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/046/karen-abbott-13658_ass_i-came-upon-a-telegram-from-eleanor-roos_2784024.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/046/karen-abbott-13658_ass_i-came-upon-a-telegram-from-eleanor-roos_2784024.jpg) > “I came upon a telegram from Eleanor Roosevelt herself to Gypsy Rose Lee that read, 'May your bare ass always be shining'. That was the clincher; I had to write about this woman.” [Karen Abbott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-abbott/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The author discovered a telegram from Eleanor Roosevelt to Gypsy Rose Lee with a provocative message, which inspired her to write about Roosevelt. **In simple terms:** A bold telegram sparked interest in Eleanor Roosevelt. Key Takeaway Use unexpected sources to inspire writing. Themes history biography inspiration Mood curious intrigued Type historical creative When to use this quote - writing - historical study - creative projects Key Concepts unexpected messages research Questions to Reflect On - What does the telegram reveal about Roosevelt’s personality? - How can surprising artifacts reshape narratives? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Gypsy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gypsy/) [Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rose/) [Shining](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shining/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Fax me a fact and I'll telegram a hologram or telephone the son of man and tell him he is done. 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Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/) > [I foresee the day when we shall read nothing but telegrams and prayers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-m-cioran/i-foresee-the-day-when-we-shall-read-nothing-but-telegrams-and-prayers/) [Emile M. Cioran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-m-cioran/) > [I thought my chances to make the Braves were better and that they were being fairer to me, paying me more money to play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hank-aaron/i-thought-my-chances-to-make-the-braves-were-better-and-that-they/) [Hank Aaron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hank-aaron/) > [This telegram is a work of art if I say it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-rauschenberg/this-telegram-is-a-work-of-art-if-i-say-it-is/) [Robert Rauschenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-rauschenberg/) > [The American father is never seen in London. He passes his life entirely in Wall Street and communicates with his family once a month…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/the-american-father-is-never-seen-in-london-he-passes-his-life/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) ## More by Karen Abbott > [“A Republican is a man who wants you to go t'church every Sunday. A Democrat says if a man wants to have a glass…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-abbott/a-republican-is-a-man-who-wants-you-to-go-t-church-every-sunday-a/) [Karen Abbott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-abbott/) > [ I think Gypsy \[Rose Lee\] would be appalled at today's rawer, more blatant displays of the female form. She was, in her own way,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-abbott/i-think-gypsy-rose-lee-would-be-appalled-at-today-s-rawer-more/) [Karen Abbott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-abbott/) > [I spent three years researching American Rose, research that included connecting with Gypsy's sister, the late actress June Havoc (I was the last person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-abbott/i-spent-three-years-researching-american-rose-research-that-included/) [Karen Abbott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-abbott/) > [ Gypsy \[Rose Lee \] was a masterful storyteller, and her memoir and by extension, the musical weren't only Gypsy's monument; they were also her… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-abbott/gypsy-rose-lee-was-a-masterful-storyteller-and-her-memoir-and-by/) [Karen Abbott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-abbott/) > [Vaudeville was characterized by sunny optimism, acts that were uplifting, cheerful, and clean. 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Her story is classic Americana, and the strangest rags-to-riches saga you'll ever read; I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-abbott/gypsy-rose-lee-is-as-unique-as-she-is-timeless-her-story-is-classic/) [Karen Abbott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-abbott/) > [Female spies typically represented one of two extremes: the seductress who employed her wiles to manipulate men, and the cross-dresser who blended in by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-abbott/female-spies-typically-represented-one-of-two-extremes-the-seductress/) [Karen Abbott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-abbott/) > [“A Republican is a man who wants you to go t’church every Sunday,” Bathhouse John pointed out. “A Democrat says if a man wants…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-abbott/a-republican-is-a-man-who-wants-you-to-go-t-church-every-sunday/) [Karen Abbott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-abbott/) [Explore all 49 Karen Abbott quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-abbott/) ## More Ass quotes > [I can skate beautifully. 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