Becoming Madam Secretary
Frances Perkins, a woman with a remarkable life and career, became the first female Secretary of Labor in 1933 when appointed by President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt. Among countless important accomplishments, she was the woman behind many of President Roosevelt’s successes in bringing America out of the Great Depression. In this biographical novel, Stephanie Dray pieces together Frances’ personal and public life beginning in 1911 just after earning a master’s degree in economics and sociology.
Her life is devoted to issues faced by women, children, the poor, and elderly. She witnesses the terrible deaths of young women escaping the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911, which plants the seed for her life’s work. As governor of New York, Roosevelt appoints Frances to serve in his cabinet – another of many firsts – and she continues working by his side through his presidency.
She works tirelessly to ease the plight of many while juggling the demands of a family and many tragedies in her personal life. Her goal to implement a social security plan is her driving force when she sees hard-working people thrust into extreme poverty brought by the Depression through no fault of their own. Yet the press hounds her for her no-nonsense, direct approach and vilifies her when she had no time for frivolities and the niceties to endear her.
This novel is full of politics and political maneuverings and may not appeal to some readers for that reason, but the historical details and the famous people who cross paths with Perkins are fascinating. Dray includes Perkins’s family life and friendships, which adds another level of interest. Best of all are the straightforward writing and the linear timeline, which make this a pleasurable reading experience. The accomplishments of this remarkable woman, with her strength, determination, and drive, leave the reader with admiration and awe.
