The Woman Behind the New Deal

The Life of Frances Perkins, FDR'S Secretary of Labor and His Moral Conscience

By: Kirstin Downey

Narrated by: Susan Ericksen

Frances Perkins is no longer a household name, yet she was one of the most influential women of the 20th century. Based on extensive archival materials, new documents, and exclusive access to Perkins' family members and friends, this biography is the first complete portrait of a devoted public servant with a passionate personal life, a mother who changed the landscape of American business and society.

Frances Perkins was named secretary of labor by Franklin Roosevelt in 1933. As the first female cabinet secretary, she spearheaded the fight to improve the lives of America's working people while juggling her own complex family responsibilities. Perkins' ideas became the cornerstones of the most important social welfare and legislation in the nation's history, including unemployment compensation, child labor laws, and the 40-hour workweek. Her greatest triumph was creating Social Security.

Written with a wit that echoes Frances Perkins' own, award-winning journalist Kirstin Downey gives us a riveting exploration of how and why Perkins slipped into historical oblivion and restores Perkins to her proper place in history.

©2009 Kirstin Downey (P)2016 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Downey provides not only a superb rendering of history but also a large dose of inspiration drawn from Perkins's clearheaded, decisive work with FDR to solve urgent problems diligently and to succeed in the face of what seemed insurmountable odds." ( Publishers Weekly)

Fantastic book, informative, inspiring

I had never heard of Frances Perkins and chose this biography because of the good reviews. I am so glad I did. She was a driving force behind New Deal laws that improved the lives of average people in this country: Child labor laws, minimum wage, 8 hour work day, unemployment insurance and social security. She also proposed publicly funded national health care but faced too much opposition from medical associations. One wonders where we would be today if she had succeeded with the latter.

She accomplished this while facing the sexist attitudes of her time and caring for a mentally ill husband.

This is a great book and inspiring reading. And a reminder of how important it is that we do not let Republicans undermine her accomplishments.

A forgotten heroine

I was so glad to learn about Frances Perkins and all that she did for the country in the FDR era. This biography is very well written and shares rich details about the influences that shaped her life and the values that guided her. The book brings the FDR era (pre, during and post) alive through stories about Frances' achievements, her colleagues and her foes.

There are also messages that are very relevant given current political and social strife in the U.S.

Essential reading

She was a saint. I remember my dad saying she was a Great person. Now I know why. what a touchstone to so many aspects of our modern lives. Perfect example of why political polarization today makes me boil....Her sensibilities cross lines, and reminds me of the sensibilities I grew up with. We could all learn from her example, and should be treating her in textbooks as we treat Founding Fathers. People today are lazy about developing social capital, albeit she was a genius, we should be better, nevertheless.

A marvelous revelation

Thank you for bringing this important “lost”woman back to our attention. Truly, the power behind the throne whose work and contributions to everyday Americans should not and shall not be lost!!

American visionary and quiet genius who changed what was thought possible revealed in a captivating biography

An American visionary and quiet genius whose boundless compassion changed what was thought possible is revealed in a captivating story suffused with emotion, insight, wit, irony, and wisdom for the ages and all ages. I’m happy to join generations of young and youthful Americans and international admirers who have rediscovered Frances Perkins thanks in part to this phenomenal biography.

My gratitude to the author, editors, and publisher for this journey into the mind and times of a bold yet secretive little known legend, an utterly unshakeable mover and shaker, unsung and unforgettable, whose legacy lives on.

My review in three words: Read the book!

An Absorbing Biography

What a team Frances Perkins (1880-1965) and Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945) made. Perkins had the ideas and the ambition to accomplish her goals. FDR had the political clout and knowledge to get the job done.

Frances Perkins was the first female cabinet member in American history. She was the Secretary of Labor. She fought into law Section 7 of the National Industrial Recovery Act in 1933. What was the list she told FDR she wanted to accomplish or else she would not take the job? It was as follows: End child labor, a 40-hour work week, minimum wages, unemployment insurance, Social Security, workplace fire safety, improved working conditions and universal or national health care. She accomplished all but the health coverage. FDR also involved her in areas other than labor such as immigration. Perkins was the author of the New Deal.

The book is well written and meticulously researched. I found the book fascinating. It is primarily an academic portrayal of a great legislator and reformer. The author follows Perkins from childhood to death and also touches on some of her ancestors. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and could hardly put it down. The information on the Roosevelts I knew, but most of the information about Perkins was new to me. Some people may not enjoy the academic tenor of the book.

Kristin Downey is a journalist. She shared the 2000 Pulitzer Prize with her group at the Washington Post. I enjoyed reading her 2014 biography, “Isabella The Warrior Queen”.

The book is almost twenty hours long. Susan Ericksen does an excellent job narrating the book. Ericksen is an actress and multi-award-winning audiobook narrator. Over the years, I have enjoyed listening to her read a wide range of books.

Fascinating look at an amazing woman’s life

The writing is rather conventional, but the the story and the life of Frances Perkins are well worth understanding better. Her work to improve the lives of others is impressive for anyone,and as a woman of her generation unprecedented.

Inspiring story. How does history miss her??

I sensitive and detailed biography of a great heroine of humanity. I'll read it again. I so needed to know about this great woman 50 years ago. How is it all they could find for women's history month in the 1970s and 80s was Betsy Ross? And why isn't Francis Perkins better known today?

A few parts get bogged down in details

Would you listen to The Woman Behind the New Deal again? Why?

It was a little too long, or maybe just gave too much time to a lot of scene-setting and personal anecdotes. But for the most part it was a great behind-the-scenes explanation of the politics and policies of the New Deal. I already admired Perkins, but it wasn't til i listened to this that I realized just how extraordinarily influential she was.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was floored by some of the excerpts from Perkins' letters where she discusses the difficulties of being the only woman in the room. It's heartbreaking the ways she had to navigate rules of etiquette that left her out of important discussions, or the ways that she had to compromise her true feelings in order to be heard.

Important history with clear relevance to today

Really interesting story of an amazing life. Just having been the first woman cabinet secretary should have made Frances Perkins a well-known historical figure--but there's so much more! Lots of food for thought in this biography.