Book Review - the Woman Behind the New Deal - the Life of Frances Perkins (2009)

Few people today are familiar with the name Frances Perkins who served under Franklin D. Roosevelt as Secretary of Labor from 1933 to 1945. She was, in fact, the first female cabinet member in U. S. history. The Department of Labor building in Washington, D.C., which was completed in 1975, was renamed the Frances Perkins Building five years later to honor this pioneer of the rights of women, children and the working populace.

Kirstin Downey has written the definitive, perhaps the only complete biography of this grand lady. For Frances was a very private person who claimed to have destroyed most of her private papers, not wishing to have her life bared to the public. Nonetheless, we finally have insight into a life that was difficult yet satisfying, tragic yet brave, scorned yet highly moral.

We have Frances Perkins to thank for the Social Security System which provides 44 million citizens checks each month enabling them to retain their dignity. We can thank her for the Fair Labor Standards Act which allows the working man and woman an eight-hour day. Unemployment insurance, worker's compensation, child labor laws and the minimum wage are also the legacy of Frances Perkins.

These successes did not come easily to Frances. Her colleagues in the Cabinet resented a woman in their presence at meetings lest their language might become inhibited. Her suggestions and proposals were often ignored as they ridiculed her behind her back. Frances, however, had an ally in Franklin Roosevelt who valued her opinions, her insight and wisdom, and conferred with her on a daily basis concerning major government issues. She carried this loyalty over to the Truman administration as she remained steadfast to the incoming president when others showed disdain. On leaving office, Harry Truman kissed Frances and told her she was the only woman he ever kissed other than his wife and daughter.

Frances Perkins had a trying personal life with her husband Paul Wilson who developed mental illness along with his alcoholism and had to be supported by Frances on her government salary. Their daughter Susanna demonstrated similar mental characteristics of her father and caused a great deal of grief to Frances.

Author Kirstin Downey seemed to me to relay more criticism of Frances than positive remarks. We were shown too many negative aspects of a life that produced so much good for so many citizens.

I did come away, nevertheless, with a high regard for Frances Perkins whose influence on Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his New Deal produced a mythical tale of a great man who was dearly loved by the American people. Not everyone was aware of this second woman, after Eleanor Roosevelt, who worked feverishly behind the scenes to produce the myriad successes of the Roosevelt administration.

I am happy that a new generation is able to learn the story of this wonderful pioneer who has made the path easier for other highly-motivated women.

Source:

The Woman Behind the New Deal - The Life of Frances Perkins (2009)