Frances Perkins

10 April 1880 – 14 May 1965

Frances Perkins was an American workers'-rights advocate who served as U.S. Secretary of Labor from 1933 to 1945, becoming the first woman to hold a Cabinet post. As a principal architect of the New Deal, she was instrumental in creating Social Security, the minimum wage, and unemployment insurance.

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Life events

Born in Boston, Massachusetts
10 April 1880

Fannie Coralie Perkins was born in Boston, Massachusetts.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Graduated from Mount Holyoke College
1902

Perkins earned her bachelor's degree in chemistry and physics from Mount Holyoke College.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Earned a master's degree from Columbia University
1910

Perkins completed a master's degree in economics and sociology at Columbia University.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Witnessed the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire
25 March 1911

Perkins saw the deadly factory fire that galvanized her lifelong commitment to workplace safety.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Appointed New York State Industrial Commissioner
1929

Governor Franklin Roosevelt named Perkins to head the state labor department.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Became U.S. Secretary of Labor
4 March 1933 – 30 June 1945

Perkins was appointed by President Roosevelt as the first female U.S. Cabinet member.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Chaired the committee that drafted the Social Security Act
14 August 1935

Perkins led the Committee on Economic Security whose work produced the Social Security Act.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Oversaw passage of the Fair Labor Standards Act
25 June 1938

Perkins championed the law establishing the federal minimum wage and maximum work hours.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Served on the U.S. Civil Service Commission
1946 – 1953

President Truman appointed Perkins to the Civil Service Commission, where she served until 1953.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in New York City
14 May 1965

Perkins died at age 85 in New York City.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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