Fannie Perkins was Secretary of Labor under FDR. She was the first female cabinet member ever. From Wikipedia: "In 1933, Roosevelt summoned Perkins to ask her to join his cabinet. Perkins presented Roosevelt with a long list of labor programs for which she would fight, from Social Security to minimum wage. "Nothing like this has ever …
Fannie Perkins was Secretary of Labor under FDR. She was the first female cabinet member ever. From Wikipedia: "In 1933, Roosevelt summoned Perkins to ask her to join his cabinet. Perkins presented Roosevelt with a long list of labor programs for which she would fight, from Social Security to minimum wage. "Nothing like this has ever been done in the United States before," she told Roosevelt. "You know that, don’t you?" Agreeing to back her, Roosevelt nominated Perkins as Secretary of Labor."
In her 12 years as Secretary of Labor she was largely responsible for the creation of social security, unemployment insurance in the United States, the federal minimum wage, and federal laws regulating child labor.
One of the most important people in US history--and one of the least well-known and least-studied. I had a MA student who wrote his thesis on Perkins and he had one heckuva time trying to find historical assessments of her that went beyond the "first female cabinet member." We need more Frances Perkinses in the world.
Trivia: When I read "Fannie" instead of "Frances," it gave me pause. Here's more from Wikipedia: Frances Perkins (born Fannie Coralie Perkins; April 10, 1880)
After graduating from college and working at Hull House with Jane Addams: "She changed her name from Fannie to Frances when she joined the Episcopal church in 1905."
She is definitely on the Early 1900s Sheroes List along with Ida Tarbell!
Those names from the turn of the 20th Century have gone out of vogue. My grandmother on my mom's side was always called "Flo" for Flossie Novela and on my dad's side was "Minnie-Mae."
My gram was named Wilhelmina at birth which was a fine name at her birth. She was called Wilma as a child and used that her entire life. Even her headstone depicts Wilma.
Also, HCR is a recipient of the 2021 Massachusetts Governor's Awards in the Humanities, which event took place a few days ago, October 24, 2021. Admittedly, I have not watched the whole video, but starting at Time 30:48, Heather responds to the question of what role she sees the humanities playing in the coming years.
Lynell, thank you so much for posting the link to the Massachusetts Humanities Governor's Awards program. The segments of the program displaying Heather Cox Richardson's intellect and work are very rewarding...but so are the segments involving the other three awardees.....and indeed the entire program, including the Indigenous Peoples' opening. Here is the direct link to the video on YouTube https://youtu.be/CGJpsX6YeHk (you will have to rewind to the Indigenous Peoples' segment, if appropriate)
Indeed, Herb! I did watch the beginning segment with Larry Spotted Crow Mann. Now that I have more time, I will be watching the remarks of the other three awardees as well. Thanks for your gentle reminder, and YouTube link.
Thank you Lynell. Her section on the Humanities and continuing education for people out of the K-12 phase of schooling is fascinating. I think it a bridge to getting along and getting better.
Fannie Perkins was Secretary of Labor under FDR. She was the first female cabinet member ever. From Wikipedia: "In 1933, Roosevelt summoned Perkins to ask her to join his cabinet. Perkins presented Roosevelt with a long list of labor programs for which she would fight, from Social Security to minimum wage. "Nothing like this has ever been done in the United States before," she told Roosevelt. "You know that, don’t you?" Agreeing to back her, Roosevelt nominated Perkins as Secretary of Labor."
In her 12 years as Secretary of Labor she was largely responsible for the creation of social security, unemployment insurance in the United States, the federal minimum wage, and federal laws regulating child labor.
One of the most important people in US history--and one of the least well-known and least-studied. I had a MA student who wrote his thesis on Perkins and he had one heckuva time trying to find historical assessments of her that went beyond the "first female cabinet member." We need more Frances Perkinses in the world.
We need more who will listen and help realize her ideas.
Trivia: When I read "Fannie" instead of "Frances," it gave me pause. Here's more from Wikipedia: Frances Perkins (born Fannie Coralie Perkins; April 10, 1880)
After graduating from college and working at Hull House with Jane Addams: "She changed her name from Fannie to Frances when she joined the Episcopal church in 1905."
She is definitely on the Early 1900s Sheroes List along with Ida Tarbell!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ida_Tarbell
(Thank you, Bill A. and Sheila B.!)
Those names from the turn of the 20th Century have gone out of vogue. My grandmother on my mom's side was always called "Flo" for Flossie Novela and on my dad's side was "Minnie-Mae."
My gram was named Wilhelmina at birth which was a fine name at her birth. She was called Wilma as a child and used that her entire life. Even her headstone depicts Wilma.
Flossie Novela! Wow!
So good to know
Thank you for this clarification Ellie!
https://community.hunter.cuny.edu/roosevelt-house-pages/the-new-deal-then-and-now-what-is-the-role-of-government--in-response-to-great-crises-10-29-21-?fbclid=IwAR3MCVLez4DZgZLevBl_ehG0eynqYjoMYevNclQHhU7QoWHAcfP226ox46c
This is from Frances Perkins center. Zoom conference available today. Regarding New Deal response from FDR and his cabinet.
Also, HCR is a recipient of the 2021 Massachusetts Governor's Awards in the Humanities, which event took place a few days ago, October 24, 2021. Admittedly, I have not watched the whole video, but starting at Time 30:48, Heather responds to the question of what role she sees the humanities playing in the coming years.
Then skip to Time 45:43 for more from HCR:
https://masshumanities.org/events/governors-awards-in-the-humanities-dinner/?fbclid=IwAR1wNYFTfboWZwS-c99RG0NeX_ayr6pAE0brOH8gMKSH-ZSidLcf-oM9wHI_aem_AX_d0D-S51F9F2IsTiuy4xVxsxhyrlS1hua2qzJQ1pTMSHlpGClyeIixHzmcFVgpqtEn-CWo0psaG41UMQ3OLlKfuSAoYYx6guNcMHpCOABsYep4m_WBcbqfMWM_BoBuNt
And congratulations to Dr R. I would like to see such awards for her work daily
Me, too, Cathy!
Lynell, thank you so much for posting the link to the Massachusetts Humanities Governor's Awards program. The segments of the program displaying Heather Cox Richardson's intellect and work are very rewarding...but so are the segments involving the other three awardees.....and indeed the entire program, including the Indigenous Peoples' opening. Here is the direct link to the video on YouTube https://youtu.be/CGJpsX6YeHk (you will have to rewind to the Indigenous Peoples' segment, if appropriate)
Indeed, Herb! I did watch the beginning segment with Larry Spotted Crow Mann. Now that I have more time, I will be watching the remarks of the other three awardees as well. Thanks for your gentle reminder, and YouTube link.
Thank you Lynell. Her section on the Humanities and continuing education for people out of the K-12 phase of schooling is fascinating. I think it a bridge to getting along and getting better.
I think the "people out of the K-12 phase" be us!
Thank you for sharing this, Lynell. Congratulations, Heather! So well deserved!!
Does this happen to be the Cindy Nelson from my Biology class many years ago at Winnacunnet High School in Hampton, NH ?
No, sorry. I’m from California.
Thanks for this link.
Thank you for this!
Thank you for this, Lynnell!
Thank you for posting this!
Thanks for posting this link, Lynell.
Frances Perkins Center also gave an award to HCR and did an interview of her on 8/15/21:
https://francesperkinscenter.org/garden-party-2021/
Darn, the link says the event is sold out. When Zoom attendance sells out I am confused
Click directly on the video, and it should load for you.
I love the story of Fannie Perkins. I think of her efforts many times these past two years. Inspirational.
It sure has saved my bacon!!
God bless and thank you Francis Perkins! Clearly the right woman - the right person - at the right time.
A co-inky-dink! I just nominated her for an American Women Quarters candidate.
I feel certain that Heather wrote about Fannie in a previous letter. I’m certain you would like reading it.
Here a a couple of times Heather has written about Perkins:
https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/september-5-2021
https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/august-14-2021
Here is a link that speaks about Dr. Richardson in regard to Frances Perkins. So well deserved! https://francesperkinscenter.org/honorees/
Thank you for keeping this at the forefront