Frances Perkins: The New Deal Democrat Who Masterminded the Labor Laws

Frances Perkin, 1933

“I came to Washington to work for God, FDR, and the millions of forgotten, plain, common working men.”

It was Frances Perkins, the first woman to join a presidential cabinet, who was the architect of Franklin Roosevelt’s New Dean labor laws. With her experience and the belief that people had a right to decent pay, benefits, and a safe working environment. She fought for racial and gender equality as well.

She was the main architect of Social Security, minimum wage, child labor laws, the 40 hour work week, and workplace safety laws. She promoted a national health care plan.

This Labor Day let us remember Perkins and her legacy, guided by compassion and, yes, her Christian faith. We have been witness to all sorts of attempts to dismantle or at least water down the good laws she put in place. Let’s fight the good fight and restore and expand the rights of the common citizen!

https://francesperkinscenter.org/

https://aflcio.org/about/history/labor-history-people/frances-perkins