The Woman Who Shaped the New Deal: Frances Perkins and Her Legacy

Frances Perkins, born into a comfortable middle-class life in Worcester, Massachusetts, defied expectations. Though raised in a traditional Republican household, her experiences ignited a passion for social reform. After graduating from Mount Holyoke College, she transitioned from teaching science to social work in Chicago's settlement houses. This firsthand exposure to harsh working conditions fueled her determination to fight for worker protections.

Perkins's dedication and intellect propelled her through the ranks of New York's social reform movement. She secured a master's degree from Columbia while advocating for stricter labor laws, like limitations on women's working hours. Her impressive work caught the eye of rising star Franklin D. Roosevelt, who appointed her to the New York State Industrial Commission in 1918, making her the first woman to hold such a position.

When Roosevelt became president in 1933, he knew exactly who to appoint as his Secretary of Labor - Frances Perkins. As the first woman in the US cabinet, Perkins wasn't afraid to challenge the status quo. Perkins spearheaded key initiatives like Social Security and the Fair Labor Standards Act, forming the foundation for a nationwide safety net for workers. Her unwavering commitment to social justice and fierce negotiation skills were instrumental in these legislative victories.

Perkins's tenure wasn't without its challenges. She faced opposition from businesses and right-wing politicians who disapproved of her progressive ideals. Undeterred by opposition, Perkins held firm to her commitment to worker rights, refusing to bend on her core principles.

Following President Roosevelt's death in 1945, Perkins transitioned into academia and authorship. Her best-selling memoir, "The Roosevelt I Knew," and her professorship at Cornell's School of Industrial and Labor Relations cemented her legacy as a pioneering advocate for social reform and a champion of the American worker.