The Woman Behind the New Deal

The Life of Frances Perkins, FDR'S Secretary of Labor and His Moral Conscience

De: Kirstin Downey

Narrado por: Susan Ericksen

Frances Perkins is no longer a household name, yet she was one of the most influential women of the 20th century. Based on extensive archival materials, new documents, and exclusive access to Perkins' family members and friends, this biography is the first complete portrait of a devoted public servant with a passionate personal life, a mother who changed the landscape of American business and society.

Frances Perkins was named secretary of labor by Franklin Roosevelt in 1933. As the first female cabinet secretary, she spearheaded the fight to improve the lives of America's working people while juggling her own complex family responsibilities. Perkins' ideas became the cornerstones of the most important social welfare and legislation in the nation's history, including unemployment compensation, child labor laws, and the 40-hour workweek. Her greatest triumph was creating Social Security.

Written with a wit that echoes Frances Perkins' own, award-winning journalist Kirstin Downey gives us a riveting exploration of how and why Perkins slipped into historical oblivion and restores Perkins to her proper place in history.

©2009 Kirstin Downey (P)2016 Tantor

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Downey provides not only a superb rendering of history but also a large dose of inspiration drawn from Perkins's clearheaded, decisive work with FDR to solve urgent problems diligently and to succeed in the face of what seemed insurmountable odds." ( Publishers Weekly)

Fantastic book, informative, inspiring

I had never heard of Frances Perkins and chose this biography because of the good reviews. I am so glad I did. She was a driving force behind New Deal laws that improved the lives of average people in this country: Child labor laws, minimum wage, 8 hour work day, unemployment insurance and social security. She also proposed publicly funded national health care but faced too much opposition from medical associations. One wonders where we would be today if she had succeeded with the latter.

She accomplished this while facing the sexist attitudes of her time and caring for a mentally ill husband.

This is a great book and inspiring reading. And a reminder of how important it is that we do not let Republicans undermine her accomplishments.

A forgotten heroine

I was so glad to learn about Frances Perkins and all that she did for the country in the FDR era. This biography is very well written and shares rich details about the influences that shaped her life and the values that guided her. The book brings the FDR era (pre, during and post) alive through stories about Frances' achievements, her colleagues and her foes.

There are also messages that are very relevant given current political and social strife in the U.S.

Nothing in particular, just a very good biography.

The reader mispronounces several names, Harlan Stone’s comes to mind. Otherwise I would have also given five stars for the performance.

Ann

Great story about a great women and all the programs she helped set up for the American people.

The subject of the book! A great women!

I liked it all. Very informative about American history 1925-1950. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in that period.

A few parts get bogged down in details

Would you listen to The Woman Behind the New Deal again? Why?

It was a little too long, or maybe just gave too much time to a lot of scene-setting and personal anecdotes. But for the most part it was a great behind-the-scenes explanation of the politics and policies of the New Deal. I already admired Perkins, but it wasn't til i listened to this that I realized just how extraordinarily influential she was.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was floored by some of the excerpts from Perkins' letters where she discusses the difficulties of being the only woman in the room. It's heartbreaking the ways she had to navigate rules of etiquette that left her out of important discussions, or the ways that she had to compromise her true feelings in order to be heard.

Important history with clear relevance to today

Really interesting story of an amazing life. Just having been the first woman cabinet secretary should have made Frances Perkins a well-known historical figure--but there's so much more! Lots of food for thought in this biography.

Frances Perkins has long been my personal heroine

I first learned about Frances Perkins when I was a young Social Work student in NYC.
Her accomplishments amazed me.
This biography filled in many gaps and served to increase my respect. Now as a retiree in my 70’s and a recipient of many of the benefits that she initiated and pushed through the political system, I am even more starstruck.
Kudos to Kristin Downey for her research and to Susan Erickson for an excellent performance.
Judi MT

A brilliant reminder of what one selfless person can do to change the world

Great to read in 2024 to acknowledge our country has been through alot of turmoil in the past, and we have survived.

Essential reading

She was a saint. I remember my dad saying she was a Great person. Now I know why. what a touchstone to so many aspects of our modern lives. Perfect example of why political polarization today makes me boil....Her sensibilities cross lines, and reminds me of the sensibilities I grew up with. We could all learn from her example, and should be treating her in textbooks as we treat Founding Fathers. People today are lazy about developing social capital, albeit she was a genius, we should be better, nevertheless.