Readers guide frances perkins is no longer a household name, yet she was one of the most influential women of the twentieth century. Maine homestead where woman behind the new deal spent summers. Why is frances perkins a forgotten figure in history. Downey, who is a journalist and not an historian, writes in a chatty journalistic style that relies far too much on personal reminiscences and memoirs rather than on.
Frances perkins center the woman behind the new deal. Roosevelt 18821945 was inaugurated as president in march 1933, the united states was at the depth of the great depression, the most severe economic downturn the nation had ever experienced. Frances perkins, the woman behind the new deal kirstin downeys biography of fdrs labor secretary frances perkins paints an inspiring and substantive portrait of the woman who ushered in the 40. The woman behind the new deal is a nonfiction book published in 2009 by the american author kirstin downey. Labor secretary from 1933 to 1945 who was instrumental in helping franklin roosevelt craft the historic and farreaching new deal legislation. The life and legacy of frances perkins, social security, unemployment insurance, paperback february 23, 2010.
It tells the largely untold story of frances perkins, the u. Frances perkins, fdrs secretary of labor and the first woman to serve as a cabinet secretary, was the principal architect of the new deal, credited with formulating policies to shore up the national economy following the nations most serious economic crisis and helping to create the modern middle class. Kirsten downey, author of the woman behind the new deal. Is a deeprooted sexism to blame, because people are reluctant to credit a womans obvious successes. Eight years of research, new documents and interviews with family members were among the many sources downey drew on for her new and compelling portrait of the woman behind the new deal.
Maine homestead where woman behind the new deal spent. Frances perkins is no longer a household name, yet she was one of the most influential women of the twentieth century. The wscc joined partner organizations for a presentation by kirstin downey author of the woman behind the new deal. The life and legacy of frances perkins social security, unemployment insurance, and the minimum wage by kirstin downey published in 2009 by anchor books, new york, ny submitted by deborah vose. The life of frances perkins, fdrs secretary of labor and his moral conscience. The life of frances perkins, fdrs secretary of labor and his moral conscience frances perkins is no longer a household. The life and legacy of frances perkins social security, unemployment insurance, and the minimum wage, paperback by downey, kirstin, isbn 1400078563, isbn 9781400078561, brand new, free shipping in the us the stunning portrait of the first female cabinet member and one of the most influential women of the 20th century. The woman behind the new deal kirstin downeys seminal biography of frances perkins the new deal was a big deal for america and, as kirstin downey shows in this illuminating and sparkling book, frances perkins, my predecessor as labor secretary, was the moving force behind much of it.
The woman behind the new deal audiobook by kirstin. The life of frances perkins, fdrs secretary of labor and his moral conscience kirstin downey, author. The woman behind the new deal ebook saint paul public. The life of frances perkins by kirstin downey is a wellwritten, engaging sketch of ms. On monday, march 23, at noon, kirstin downey will discuss and sign her new book, the woman behind the new deal. Sarah bagby, npr its a provocative title, but downey convinced me that fannie perkins, of beacon hill, worcester, and mount holyoke college, was the. The woman behind the new deal summary supersummary. Jun 01, 2010 frances perkins was the only woman in president franklin d. Fdr, frances perkins and the ilo on april 15 at the wallace center at the fdr library in hyde park. Government official for new york state and the federal government, including industrial commissioner of the state of new york from 19291932, perkins was named secretary of labor by. Apr 16, 2009 frances perkins, the woman behind the new deal kirstin downeys biography of fdrs labor secretary frances perkins paints an inspiring and substantive portrait of the woman who ushered in the 40.
The paperback of the the woman behind the new deal. Perkins biographer kirsten downey notes in her book, the woman behind the new deal, that associate supreme court justice louis brandeis gave perkins guidance on social security. Kirstin downey talked about her biography the woman behind the new deal. Would you listen to the woman behind the new deal again. Downey discussed frances perkins, fdrs secretary of labor. The life and legacy of frances perkinssocial security, unemployment insurance, and the minimum wage paperback published february 23rd 2010 by anchor. The event commemorates the centenary of the international labour. Based on eight years of research, extensive archival materials, new documents, and exclusive access to perkinss family members and friends, this. No individual not even eleanor roosevelt exerted more influence over the formulation of fdrs new deal or did more to implement the programs than frances perkins 1880 1965. The life of frances perkins, fdrs secretary of labor and his moral conscience, new york. Frances perkins, fdrs secretary of labor and the first woman to serve as a cabinet secretary, was the principal architect of the new deal. The term was taken from roosevelts speech accepting the. The woman behind the new deal frances perkins 18801965 is no longer a household name, yet she was one of the most influential women of the twentieth century.
Roosevelt between 1933 and 1939, which took action to bring about immediate economic relief from the great depression as well as reforms in industry, agriculture, and finance, vastly increasing the scope of the federal governments activities. The author writes of perkins drive, caring for a husband with a mental illness, the conflicts with her daughter. But for the most part it was a great behind the scenes explanation of the politics and policies of the new deal. The life and legacy of frances perkins social security, unemployment insurance, and the minimum wage, paperback by downey, kirstin, isbn 1400078563, isbn 9781400078561, brand new, free shipping in the us the stunning portrait of the first female cabinet member and one of the most influential women of the 20th century who, over the 12 years beginning in 1933. The woman behind the new deal hardcover the life of frances perkins, fdrs secretary of labor and his moral conscience. Roosevelt between 1933 and 1939, which took action to bring about immediate economic relief as well as reforms in industry, agriculture, finance, waterpower, labour, and housing, vastly increasing the scope of the federal governments activities. And, in their books on perkins, both downey and miller detail another key piece of guidance from associate justice harlan fiske stone. Frances perkins, the woman behind the new deal, is. It was a little too long, or maybe just gave too much time to a lot of scenesetting and personal anecdotes. The life of frances perkins, fdrs secretary of labor and his moral conscience, in the mumford room on the sixth floor of the library of congress madison building.
The woman behind the new deal the life of frances perkins, fdrs secretary of labor and his moral conscience ebook. The life of frances perkins, fdrs secretary of labor and his moral conscience by kirstin downey. Chicago turabian humanities citation style guide downey, kirstin, the woman behind the new deal. Frances perkins is no longer a household name, yet s. Sep 26, 2009 kirstin downey talks about her book the woman behind the new deal. Frances perkins, the woman behind the new deal, is subject of. The woman behind the new deal audiobook by kirstin downey. Her legacy included social security, unemployment insurance, and other initiatives that have improved the lives of generations of americans. The woman behind the new deal tells the life and legacy of frances perkins, the first female secretary of labor.
Based on eight years of research, extensive archival materials, new documents, and exclusive access to perkinss. Mar 03, 2009 the woman behind the new deal hardcover the life of frances perkins, fdrs secretary of labor and his moral conscience. The life and legacy of frances perkinssocial security, unemployment insurance, and the minimum wage paperback published. New deal, domestic program of the administration of u.
The life and legacy of frances perkins, social security, unemployment insurance, downey, kirstin on. Frances perkins was the only woman in president franklin d. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. About the woman behind the new deal kirstin downeys lively, substantive anddare i sayinspiring new biography of perkins. The summer home of frances perkins the female labor reformer behind the new deal programs that. The life of frances perkins, fdrs secretary of labor and his moral conscience includes perkins bestknown achievements, such as. The woman behind the new deal kirstin downeys lively new biography of francis perkins, president franklin roosevelts controversial pick for secretary of labor, is called the woman. The new deal was a big deal for america and, as kirstin downey shows in this illuminating and sparkling book, frances perkins, my predecessor as labor secretary, was the moving force behind much of it. She tried mightily to keep the family together while also trying to achieve legislative goals. The life of frances perkins, fdrs secretary of labor and his moral conscience includes perkins bestknown achievements, such as the social security act enacted.
Aug 30, 2017 perkins was the driving force behind many facets of the new deal. The life of frances perkins, fdrs secretary of labor and his moral conscience the current financial crisis is widely described as the nations worst since the. Book description frances perkins is no longer a household name, yet she was one of the most influential women of the twentieth century. Almost immediately president roosevelt and his advisers presented congress with a series of programs designed to bring relief, recovery. The woman behind the new deal 8 words 3 pages the first half of kirstin downeys book, the woman behind the new deal chronologically explores the frances perkins life up until her early years as the secretary of labor under president roosevelt. The woman behind the new deal frances perkins center. Maureen corrigan, npr fresh air one of franklin delano roosevelts closest friends and the first female secretary of labor, perkins. While the woman behind the new deal, may portray francis perkins in an overly sympathetic manner at times, it is certainly worth reading to learn more about one of the most influential women in u.
Perkins was the first female cabinet member, serving as franklin d. As the first female cabinet secretary, she spearheaded the fight to improve the lives of americas working people while juggling her own complex family responsibilities. Frances perkins was named secretary of labor by franklin roosevelt in 1933. Frances perkins is no longer a household name, yet. The introduction, questions, and suggestions for further reading that follow are designed to enhance your groups discussion of the woman behind the new deal by kirstin downey.
Columbia university libraries online exhibitions frances. The woman behind the new deal by kirstin downey paperback. Feb, 2020 by lori valigra, bdn staff february, 2020 10. The life and legacy of frances perkins social security, unemployment insurance, and the minimum wage as the first female cabinet secretary, she spearheaded the fight to improve the lives of americas working people while juggling her own complex family responsibilities. The life and legacy of frances perkins, will participate in a booksigning and a symposium titled together, we win. As an architect of the new deal, she designed the mechanisms the country uses to. The life of frances perkins, fdrs secretary of labor and his moral conscience kindle edition.
The first half of kirstin downeys book, the woman behind the new deal chronologically explores the frances perkins life up until her early years as the secretary of labor under president roosevelt. Kirstin downey talks about her book the woman behind the new deal. The woman behind the new deal by kirstin downey kirkus. During her tenure the first minimum wage, federal child labor laws, the 40hour work week and maximum overtime regulations were introduced. The woman behind the new deal the life of frances perkins, fdrs secretary of labor and his moral conscience. The life and legacy of frances perkins, social security, unemployment insurance. The life of frances perkins, fdrs secretary of labor and his moral conscience nan a. Married to a man institutionalized with mental illness, she kept her unhappy personal life out of the papers and away from washington.