Frances Perkins
Workers-rights advocate and United States Secretary of Labor 1933-1945 · United States · On the map · Politicians · Lived 1880 to 1965 · aged 85
Frances Perkins was an American workers-rights advocate who served as the fourth United States secretary of labor from 1933 to 1945, the longest serving in that position. A member of the Democratic Party, Perkins was the first woman ever to serve in a presidential cabinet.
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Photos 11
Perkins at her desk c. 1919
Secretary of Labor Perkins on the cover of Time (August 14, 1933)
Congressman Theodore Peyser and Perkins stand behind President Roosevelt as he signs the Wagner-Peyser Act (June 6, 1933)![President Roosevelt signing the Social Security Act into law on August 14, 1935, with Perkins among those witnessing the signing (third from right)[50]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/28/Signing_Of_The_Social_Security_Act.jpg/1280px-Signing_Of_The_Social_Security_Act.jpg)
President Roosevelt signing the Social Security Act into law on August 14, 1935, with Perkins among those witnessing the signing (third from right)[50]
Perkins at the White House shortly after President Roosevelt's death, April 12, 1945
Portrait by Clara Sipprell, 1952
Perkins (left) with Eleanor Roosevelt at the 50th anniversary commemoration of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, March 1961Awards
About this person
As a loyal supporter of her longtime friend, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, she helped make labor issues important in the emerging New Deal coalition. She advocated for immigrants’ rights as well. She was one of two Roosevelt cabinet members to remain in office for his entire presidency.
