On January 14, 1937, Mary leaves an afternoon with Eleanor Roosevelt and unexpectedly encounters Sara Delano Roosevelt in the White House private quarters. Sara warmly escorts Mary to Franklin D. Roosevelt, despite Mary’s anxiety over a bold note she attached to her newly issued Blue Book.

Mary has recently compiled and circulated the Blue Book, a detailed plan addressing problems facing Black Americans, sending 3,000 copies and hand-delivering one to the president with a warning that continued Black support requires action. In the meeting, Franklin thanks Mary for her campaign work and says he has reviewed the Blue Book, praising its thoroughness and practical solutions.

With aide Steve Woodburn present, Franklin instructs Steve to schedule a meeting with Mary to discuss the Blue Book and to consider crafting a public statement about it. Mary is relieved and encouraged by the president’s response.

Once outside the president’s sight, Steve drops all cordiality and vows to block any meeting, claiming the calendar is full and asserting he will prevent access “on his watch.” Mary challenges him and contemplates returning to inform the president, but recognizing the likely runaround, she chooses to disengage, determined to find another way forward.