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. 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. Roosevelt at a dance in 1910, she was a young social worker and he was an attractive young man making a modest debut in. The first female cabinet member, she was the secretary of labor under fdr, from 1933 through 1945. Tread the citys streets again by donn mitchell has just been published. Most people know about president fdr, but do you know the. Perkins had a long and illustrious record as a social activist. Get an email update with the first piece of research for this book. Download pdf francesperkins free online new books in.
By kirstin downey, new york, ny, doubleday, 2009, 458 pp. Author kirstin downeys new book traces development of. About the woman behind the new deal kirstin downeys lively, substantive anddare i sayinspiring new biography of perkins. Once youve read thanks to frances perkins, youll know why these are important questionsand why you may want to thank frances perkins. Share photos and videos, send messages and get updates. Perkins, as downey, vividly describes her, was a lady of the old school, who bristled when sen. Frances perkins, first woman in a presidential cabinet. Frances perkins, original name fannie coralie perkins, born april 10, 1882, boston, mass. Based on eight years of research, extensive archival materials, new documents, and exclusive access to perkinss family members and friends, this biography is the. After frances perkins witnessed the triangle waist factory fire in 1911, she was forever changed. Frances perkins was born on thursday, june 22, 1944 and passed away on monday, march 02, 2020.
Robert wagner started calling her frances in the 1930s, even though, by then, they had known each. 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. Kirstin is a board member of the frances perkins center and lent us a copy of the book in galleys. Discover librarianselected research resources on frances perkins from the questia online library, including fulltext online books, academic journals. 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. Text of speech slightly edited and revised from spoken remarks i must say i feel very much at home even though i just arrived. Jun 28, 2011 discover book depositorys huge selection of frances perkins books online. Frances perkins center damariscotta 2020 all you need.
As the first female cabinet secretary, she spearheaded the fight to improve the lives of americas working people while juggling her own complex family responsibilities. Perkins grew up in worcester, massachusetts, where her father ran a stationery business. 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 the first woman to serve in the us cabinet, a signature achievement in a groundbreaking life. Jan 01, 2009 frances perkins is no longer a household name, yet she was one of the most influential women of the twentieth century. Secretary of labor from 1933 to 1945, the longest serving in that position, and the first woman appointed to the u. The roosevelt i knew by frances perkins, paperback. Kirstin downeys lively, substantive anddare i sayinspiring new biography of perkins. In the late 30s, women in key government roles were unheard of. 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. Frances perkins at work for the factory investigation commission, circa 1911. Her birth name was fanny coralie, which she later legally changed to frances. Based on eight years of research, extensive archival materials, new documents, and exclusive access to perkinss.
April 10, 1880 may 14, 1965 was an american sociologist and workersrights advocate who served as the u. Frances perkins center damariscotta 2020 all you need to. Frances perkins united states secretary of labor britannica. It grew into the flame that has resulted in a compelling, educational, and most of all, inspirational book.
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. Roosevelt presidential library honors frances perkins, fdrs secretary of labor and the first woman appointed to a. The life of frances perkins, fdrs secretary of labor and his moral conscience by kirstin downey will be available on march 3rd. Special security history social security administration. After resigning her position in 1945, she wrote a bestselling book and became a professor at cornell university. Her tireless efforts on behalf of the american worker had become public knowledge, and when president. 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.
Shipping may be from multiple locations in the us or from the uk, depending on stock availability. 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. Frances perkins is no longer a household name, yet. 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. Honoring the achievements of fdrs secretary of labor. Born in boston in 1880 and educated at mount holyoke college and columbia university, perkins was passionate about the social problems occasioned. Frances perkins and the confluence of early twentieth century social work with midtwentieth century politics and government.
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. The massachusetts state house is hosting a traveling exhibit through friday on the. Her legacy included social security, unemployment insurance, and other initiatives that have improved the lives of generations of americans. 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.
When she was two years old the family relocated to worcester, massachusetts, where her father opened a profitable stationery business. The life and legacy of frances perkins, social security, unemployment insurance, by kirstin downey feb 23, 2010 4. Its an incredibly thorough and perceptive portrait of an amazing woman. 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. Frances perkins is no longer a household name, yet she was one of the most influential women of the twentieth century. Frances perkins, super hero by ruth cashin monsell home. Roosevelts new deal, in this fascinating picture book biography thats perfect for fans of i dissent. Frances perkins center the woman behind the new deal. Discover book depositorys huge selection of frances perkins books online. If you dont know who frances perkins is, you must read this book by kirstin downey.
Jan 01, 2000 frances perkins 18801965 was the first woman appointed to a u. 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. Frances perkins s most popular book is the roosevelt i knew. March 3, 2009 frances perkins, the woman behind the new deal, is subject of book discussion.
Connect with friends, family and other people you know. List of books and articles about frances perkins online. Robert wagner started calling her frances in the 1930s, even though, by. Why is frances perkins a forgotten figure in history. Francesperkins download francesperkins ebook pdf or read online books in pdf, epub, and mobi format. On monday, march 23, at noon, kirstin downey will discuss and sign her new book, the woman behind the new deal.
Frances perkins and the general welfare is on the south hill films website. She played a prominent public role throughout roosevelts 12year presidency and was instrumental in shaping new deal policies and major pieces of legislation such as. Perkins graduated from mount holyoke college in 1902 and for some. Frances perkins herself is an incredibly interesting woman with a fascinating life and career.
A vivid and intimate portrait of the new deal president by the first woman ever appointed to the u. If it werent for frances perkins, born 140 years ago today, millions of americans might not be receiving unemployment benefits during the coronavirus pandemic. Books by frances perkins author of the roosevelt i knew. Frances perkins was a resident of somerset, kentucky at the time of passing.
Frances perkins was born on april 10, 1882, in boston, massachusetts, of an upper middleclass republican family. Now you can buy blank cartridges for your talking book player and. Frances perkins was an american sociologist and workersrights advocate who served as the u. Praise for new biography of frances perkins the best. Roosevelt, she helped pull the labor movement into the new deal coalition. 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. 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.
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. Readers guide frances perkins is no longer a household name, yet she was one of the most influential women of the twentieth century. Is a deeprooted sexism to blame, because people are reluctant to credit a womans obvious successes. Her ideas and her perseverance created many of the programs that encompassed the new deal. Maureen corrigan, npr fresh air one of franklin delano roosevelts closest friends and the first female secretary of labor, perkins. In a captivating style kirstin downey has told a tale of moral complexity that transcends fictional drama. Frances perkins, the woman behind the new deal, is subject of. Columbia university libraries online exhibitions frances. The life and legacy of frances perkins, social security. By jessica breitman, suny new paltz, fdr library intern. Apr 16, 2009 perkins, as downey, vividly describes her, was a lady of the old school, who bristled when sen. Although she is no longer a household name, frances perkins was one of the most influential people of the 20th century. Online shopping from a great selection at books store.
Click download or read online button to francesperkins book pdf for free now. The frances perkins center is another indispensable resource. Frances perkins has 12 books on goodreads with 312 ratings. Frances perkins 18801965 is no longer a household name, yet she was one of the most influential women of the twentieth century. To commemorate womens history month, the franklin d. List of books and articles about frances perkins online research. The book is more than a biography of an extraordinary woman. Frances perkins the road to character book excerpt. 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. The life and legacy of frances perkins, social security, unemployment insurance.
The roosevelt i knew by frances perkins, paperback barnes. 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. Delivered at social security administration headquartersbaltimore, maryland. Find out about upcoming events in the national archives online calendar. Kirstin downeys seminal biography of frances perkins 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.
Frances perkins was the first woman to serve a president of the united states as a member of the cabinet. Book description frances perkins is no longer a household name, yet she was one of the most influential women of the twentieth century. 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. A look into the life of frances perkins the boston globe. Photo from the frances perkins papers, rare book and manuscript library, columbia. If i was encouraged to write a book on the relationship between frances perkins and eleanor roosevelt, it would be to give meaning to that reaction. Perkids can help get your children excited about reading too. Ickes were the only original members of the roosevelt cabinet to remain in office for his entire presidency. 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 upscale stores. A hot spark was lit in me when i first toured the homestead.