Bear's Blog

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President Roosevelt famously created the New Deal in 1935, legislation that is now called the “social safety net”. Less known is the principal architect of much of it – Frances Perkins. They worked together to usher in an era of social and economic justice. Those economic policies were designed to pull the US out of the Great Depression, and have supported millions of Americans ever since. Perkins was critical to that success; her values and relentless work exemplify American ideals.

She helped design and write legislation for Social Security, minimum wage, and the Wagner Act. That guaranteed unions the right to organize and bargain collectively, and established the National Labor Relations Board to enforce those rights (NLRB*).

What a remarkable woman! Introduced to the suffrage movement and progressive politics during her early college years, ultimately she held degrees in chemistry and physics, economics and sociology. She got real-world experience working as a teacher and social worker. She volunteered at “settlement houses” - community centers assisting immigrants and the less well off with education, healthcare, meals, job placement services, daycare and safe affordable housing.

Early in her career she was one of three commissioners on the New York Industrial Commission (and supervised the bureau of information and statistics and the bureau of mediation and arbitration.) The position made Perkins the highest-paid woman in the New York state government. A fellow Commissioner called Perkins's contributions "invaluable," and “...was convinced that more women ought to be placed in high positions throughout the state departments."

Later she became the state industrial commissioner and supervised an agency with 1,800 employees. In that role she oversaw the implementation of a minimum wage, unemployment insurance, child labor laws and better (safer!) working hours and conditions.

She had a cool personality but could be feisty! During a punishing United Auto Workers strike, she phoned the chairman of the board of General Motors in the middle of the night, calling him indecent, “a scoundrel and a skunk” for not meeting the union's demands.

As the Secretary of Labor, Perkins created the Immigration and Naturalization Service. During WWII she supported the immigration of German Jews who were fleeing Nazis - an unpopular position among many administration officials and the public. Immigration has always been a hot issue in the US! Congress tried but failed to impeach her for refusing to deport the communist head of the West Coast International Longshore and Warehouse Union, who was ultimately vindicated by the Supreme Court.

Perkins was capable, fearless, and politically savvy, paving the way for women to fully participate in government. (She once got flack as a “radical” for not taking her husband's name.) She was the first female ever appointed to a cabinet position. Intelligent and educated, early on she saw injustice and dedicated herself to providing assistance and basic support to those in need, improving life for so many.

Roosevelt recognized her intelligence and expertise and brought her onto his team. There’s an old adage that “Behind every successful man is a woman.” Behind every successful business are women, immigrants, LGBTQ folks, and so many others that represent the diversity and opportunity of America. Our Constitution is the epitome of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. It takes the contributions of many good people to come together and create a loving, prosperous society.

Let’s all stand up for integrity, justice, and a government “of the people, by the people and for the people.” We owe it to those who worked so hard to create the America we hold in our hearts; we owe it to ourselves! We have all enjoyed the benefits of living in this great country. This is a critical moment in US history. Let’s all show up on April 5th and beyond, to demonstrate that America is alive and kicking, and we won’t give up!!!

Peace, love and healing -

Bear

*The NLRB has in the past found Tesla liable for unfair labor practices; Trump recently tried to remove its first black female chair, but lost in court.

President Carter renamed the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, D.C., the Frances Perkins Building in 1980. President Biden designated the Frances Perkins Center in Maine as a national monument in 2014.

Becoming Madam Secretary (2024) by New York Times author Stephanie Dray tells the story of Ms. Perkins’s life.