Roosevelt at a dance in 1910, she was a young social worker and he was an attractive young man making a modest debut in state politics. Text of speech slightly edited and revised from spoken remarks i must say i feel very much at home even though i just arrived. Based on eight years of research, extensive archival materials, new documents, and exclusive access to perkinss family members and friends, this biography is the first complete portrait of a devoted public servant with a passionate personal life, a mother. Readers guide frances perkins is no longer a household name, yet she was one of the most influential women of the twentieth century. Government official for new york state and the federal government, including industrial commissioner of the state of new york from 19291932, perkins was named secretary of labor by franklin delano roosevelt in 1933. Author kirstin downeys new book traces development of. March 3, 2009 frances perkins, the woman behind the new deal, is subject of book discussion. Maureen corrigan, npr fresh air one of franklin delano roosevelts closest friends and the first female secretary of labor, perkins capitalized on the presidents political. Frances perkins was born on april 10, 1882, in boston, massachusetts, of an upper middleclass republican family. Robert wagner started calling her frances in the 1930s, even though, by then, they had known each. Perkins, as downey, vividly describes her, was a lady of the old school, who bristled when sen. Special security history social security administration.
Frances perkins has 12 books on goodreads with 312 ratings. A hot spark was lit in me when i first toured the homestead. By kirstin downey, new york, ny, doubleday, 2009, 458 pp. I feel at home because the social security administration has, ever since it was established, been a sort of special concern of mine, although by the chicanery of politics it was not placed in the department of labor. Her ideas and her perseverance created many of the programs that encompassed the new deal. I was approached by someone from a local scout troop to present on a famous woman in history, they know this is one of the areas i explore in my blog. The frances perkins center, a tiny homage to the first woman cabinet secretary in the us, is discreetly located on main street in the sweet town of damariscotta, near the home of perkins grandparents in new castle where she summered as a child. Perkins grew up in worcester, massachusetts, where her father ran a stationery business. In his new book, the road to character, pundit david brooks explains how frances perkins, the architect of the 1935 social security act, was forged by a horrific fire today, the area around washington square park in lower manhattan is surrounded by new york university, expensive apartments, and. Tread the citys streets again by donn mitchell has just been published. The first book to explore the faith of frances perkins is now available. She worked at hull house, was executive secretary of the new york consumers league 191012 and of the new york committee on safety 191217, and directed 1912 investigations for the new york state factory commission. Find out about upcoming events in the national archives online calendar. The roosevelt i knew by frances perkins, paperback.
Frances perkins s most popular book is the roosevelt i knew. Most people know about president fdr, but do you know the. Frances perkins was a resident of somerset, kentucky at the time of passing. Now you can buy blank cartridges for your talking book player and. Alex beam, boston globe reading the biography of fdrs labor secretary frances perkins brings to mind the old saying about how ginger rogers had to do everything fred astaire did, except backward and in high heels. Roosevelt, she helped pull the labor movement into the new deal coalition.
Its an incredibly thorough and perceptive portrait of an amazing woman. Secretary of labor from 1933 to 1945, the longest serving in that position, and the first woman appointed to the u. Share photos and videos, send messages and get updates. Frances perkins, the woman behind the new deal, is subject of. Roosevelts new deal, in this fascinating picture book biography thats perfect for fans of i dissent. Maureen corrigan, npr fresh air one of franklin delano roosevelts closest friends and the first female secretary of labor, perkins. Frances perkins herself is an incredibly interesting woman with a fascinating life and career. It grew into the flame that has resulted in a compelling, educational, and most of all, inspirational book. Frances perkins the road to character book excerpt. After frances perkins witnessed the triangle waist factory fire in 1911, she was forever changed. The first female cabinet member, she was the secretary of labor under fdr, from 1933 through 1945. To commemorate womens history month, the franklin d. The frances perkins center is another indispensable resource. The life of frances perkins, fdrs secretary of labor and his moral conscience, in the mumford room on the sixth floor of the madison building, located at.
The life of frances perkins, fdrs secretary of labor and his moral conscience frances perkins is no longer a household name, yet she was one of the most influential women of the twentieth century. Frances perkins was born on thursday, june 22, 1944 and passed away on monday, march 02, 2020. Why is frances perkins a forgotten figure in history. If you dont know who frances perkins is, you must read this book by kirstin downey. The life and legacy of frances perkins, social security, unemployment insurance, by kirstin downey feb 23, 2010 4. April 10, 1880 may 14, 1965 was an american sociologist and workersrights advocate who served as the u. Is a deeprooted sexism to blame, because people are reluctant to credit a womans obvious successes. Photo from the frances perkins papers, rare book and manuscript library, columbia. Click download or read online button to francesperkins book pdf for free now.
Frances perkins, original name fannie coralie perkins, born april 10, 1882, boston, mass. Once youve read thanks to frances perkins, youll know why these are important questionsand why you may want to thank frances perkins. Roosevelt at a dance in 1910, she was a young social worker and he was an attractive young man making a modest debut in. Frances perkins 18801965 is no longer a household name, yet she was one of the most influential women of the twentieth century. List of books and articles about frances perkins online. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the us or from the uk, depending on stock availability.
Jan 01, 2009 frances perkins is no longer a household name, yet she was one of the most influential women of the twentieth century. Discover librarianselected research resources on frances perkins from the questia online library, including fulltext online books, academic journals. About the woman behind the new deal kirstin downeys lively, substantive anddare i sayinspiring new biography of perkins. The book is more than a biography of an extraordinary woman. The massachusetts state house is hosting a traveling exhibit through friday on the. Columbia university libraries online exhibitions frances. Frances perkins is no longer a household name, yet. Perkins graduated from mount holyoke college in 1902 and for some. Frances perkins was the first woman to serve a president of the united states as a member of the cabinet. Her birth name was fanny coralie, which she later legally changed to frances. Born in boston in 1880 and educated at mount holyoke college and columbia university, perkins was passionate about the social problems occasioned. After resigning her position in 1945, she wrote a bestselling book and became a professor at cornell university. By jessica breitman, suny new paltz, fdr library intern.
Honoring the achievements of fdrs secretary of labor. Perkids can help get your children excited about reading too. Kirstin is a board member of the frances perkins center and lent us a copy of the book in galleys. Perkins had a long and illustrious record as a social activist. Frances perkins and the confluence of early twentieth century social work with midtwentieth century politics and government. Download pdf francesperkins free online new books in. Get an email update with the first piece of research for this book. The life of frances perkins, fdrs secretary of labor and his moral conscience by kirstin downey will be available on march 3rd. The life and legacy of frances perkins, social security.
Robert wagner started calling her frances in the 1930s, even though, by. Her tireless efforts on behalf of the american worker had become public knowledge, and when president. Frances perkins was the first woman to serve in the us cabinet, a signature achievement in a groundbreaking life. If it werent for frances perkins, born 140 years ago today, millions of americans might not be receiving unemployment benefits during the coronavirus pandemic. Praise for new biography of frances perkins the best. Jan 01, 2000 frances perkins 18801965 was the first woman appointed to a u. Based on eight years of research, extensive archival materials, new documents, and exclusive access to perkinss. Frances perkins center damariscotta 2020 all you need. Born in boston in 1880 and educated at mount holyoke college and columbia university, perkins was passionate about the social problems occasioned by the continuing effects of industrialization and urbanization. Delivered at social security administration headquartersbaltimore, maryland. Frances perkins, super hero by ruth cashin monsell home. Kirstin downeys lively, substantive anddare i sayinspiring new biography of perkins. Frances perkins 18801965 was the first woman appointed to a u.
Frances perkins was an american sociologist and workersrights advocate who served as the u. On monday, march 23, at noon, kirstin downey will discuss and sign her new book, the woman behind the new deal. Books by frances perkins author of the roosevelt i knew. Frances perkins, first woman in a presidential cabinet. Besides being the first woman to be appointed to a cabinet post, she also served one of the longest terms of any roosevelt appointee 193345. Connect with friends, family and other people you know. Sep 17, 2019 frances perkins april 10, 1880 may 14, 1965 became the first woman to serve in a presidents cabinet when she was appointed the secretary of labor by franklin d. Frances perkins is no longer a household name, yet she was one of the most influential women of the twentieth century. Apr 16, 2009 perkins, as downey, vividly describes her, was a lady of the old school, who bristled when sen. Frances perkins center damariscotta 2020 all you need to. While some activists pressed factory owners for change, frances decided to work to bring about new laws that would force employers to treat people better and make workplaces safer. Frances perkins center the woman behind the new deal. The introduction, questions, and suggestions for further reading that follow are designed to enhance your groups discussion of the woman behind the new deal by kirstin downey.
Online shopping from a great selection at books store. A look into the life of frances perkins the boston globe. Her legacy included social security, unemployment insurance, and other initiatives that have improved the lives of generations of americans. Jun 28, 2011 discover book depositorys huge selection of frances perkins books online. Besides being the first woman to be appointed to a cabinet post, she also served one of the longest terms of any roosevelt appointee 1933. A vivid and intimate portrait of the new deal president by the first woman ever appointed to the u. Frances perkins april 10, 1880 may 14, 1965 became the first woman to serve in a presidents cabinet when she was appointed the secretary of labor by franklin d.
When she was two years old the family relocated to worcester, massachusetts, where her father opened a profitable stationery business. In a captivating style kirstin downey has told a tale of moral complexity that transcends fictional drama. Francesperkins download francesperkins ebook pdf or read online books in pdf, epub, and mobi format. Although she is no longer a household name, frances perkins was one of the most influential people of the 20th century. Roosevelt presidential library honors frances perkins, fdrs secretary of labor and the first woman appointed to a. Frances perkins at work for the factory investigation commission, circa 1911. The new deal was a big deal for america and, as kirstin downey shows in this illuminating and sparkling book, frances perkins, my predecessor as labor secretary, was the moving force behind much of it. Based on eight years of research, extensive archival materials, new documents, and exclusive access to perkinss family members and friends, this biography is the. Ickes were the only original members of the roosevelt cabinet to remain in office for his entire presidency. Frances perkins united states secretary of labor britannica. List of books and articles about frances perkins online research.
1343 118 1627 385 447 1635 1261 1197 1636 893 1643 230 665 1135 136 698 1354 624 1142 1102 515 564 1191 1400 1234 599 1261 555 839 1455 336 595 1022 85 174 1499 49 1334