Who is Frances Perkins?

This week, we are shining a light on one of the most influential women in 20th century America. She was the first woman to serve in a cabinet position in the US government, and her efforts to support Jewish refugees during the holocaust has carved a unique legacy in human history. So in this episode I want to find out more about her life, her work and her legacy, as I ask… who is Frances Perkins?

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Special guest for this episode:

• Rebecca Brenner Graham, a postdoctoral research associate at Brown University, and the author of Dear Miss Perkins: A Story of Frances Perkins’s Efforts to Aid Refugees from Nazi Germany.

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Highlights from this episode:

• In this episode, we uncover the life of Frances Perkins, the first female cabinet member in the US, and her groundbreaking achievements.
• We dive into how Perkins supported Jewish refugees during the Holocaust and made significant contributions to labor laws.
• The podcast explores Perkins' early life, her struggles for employment, and her eventual rise to prominence in American politics.
• There's a focus on the historical context of Perkins' work, shedding light on the socio-political climate of the time.
• Listeners learn about the legacy of Frances Perkins, particularly her role in shaping American labor policies during the Great Depression.
• The conversation highlights the challenges Perkins faced as a woman in a male-dominated political landscape and how she navigated those obstacles.

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Additional Resources:

Dear Miss Perkins: A Story of Frances Perkins's Efforts to Aid Refugees from Nazi Germany by Rebecca Brenner Graham

Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938: Maximum Struggle for a Minimum Wage | U.S. Department of Labor

How the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire transformed labor laws and protected workers’ health | PBS News

Social Security History

Amazon.com: The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon

Amazon.com: Madam Secretary Frances Perkins by George Martin

The Woman Behind