A Woman Unafraid: The Achievements of Frances Perkins

From School Library JournalGrade 5-8-The first woman in history to hold a U.S. Cabinet post, Frances Perkins served as FDR's Secretary of Labor from 1933-1945. Faced with prejudice because of her sex, liberal political orientation, and lack of organized labor's support, she nevertheless left her mark on history with the passage of the Social Security Act (1935) and the Fair Labor Standards Act (1938). In this biography, the subject's personal life remains shadowy as Colman focuses on her struggles and triumphs as a labor reformer and public official. Cogent quotes from her letters and oral histories reinforce the portrait of Perkins as a courageous and determined pioneer. Black-and-white photographs and political cartoons stress her involvement in the New Deal. Initially Colman's writing style is smooth, but it deteriorates as she uses repetition and short, choppy sentences to emphasize important points. The frequent interjection of historical trivia also detracts from the flow of the narrative. Bill Severn's Frances Perkins (Hawthorn, 1976; o.p.), geared to an older audience, is a fuller and more skillfully written portrait.Pat Katka, San Diego Public LibraryCopyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.Product DescriptionRecounts the life of America's first female cabinet member, who brought a determination--formed from years of social activism--to help manual laborers to her post as Secretary of Labor, where she helped institute Social Security and other reforms.From BooklistGr. 6-10. More than a history of Perkins' life, this biography chronicles the major political events of the first half of the twentieth century. The reader gets a feel for the sweeping changes in the labor movement, as well as an intimate glimpse at Perkins that conveys the compassionate way she met the challenges of her public life. She began her career in social work, became the industrial commissioner of the state of New York, and served 12 years as the U.S. secretary of labor. The first woman cabinet member, she was appointed by Franklin D. Roosevelt and was responsible for establishing the Social Security system and unemployment insurance. Ahead of her time, Perkins was married for almost 40 years and never used her husband's name. The author uses photos and quotes from Perkins' writings effectively. The book contains a helpful chronology, a bibliography, lists of places to visit, and a chart of cabinet members appointed by Roosevelt. Susan DeRonneFrom Kirkus ReviewsAn informative, inspiring, and strongly sympathetic biography of a major feminist hero of the 20's, 30's, and 40's, especially effective in presenting Perkins's achievements in their historical context. As a young social worker, Perkins developed expertise on the subject of workers' living and job conditions, taking on both state and federal governments with regard to labor law. Her competence and extraordinary energy brought her to the attention of powerful political leaders; as Franklin D. Roosevelt's Secretary of Labor, she was the first woman ever appointed to a president's cabinet. At each juncture of Perkins's life, Colman skillfully interweaves social trends and political developments with glimpses of her family and mentors. Feminist solidarity is an implicit message here, while the era's social consciousness is an even stronger theme. Though she doesn't use footnotes, Colman quotes extensively from Perkins' own writings (particularly letters to her college alumnae association), and lists numerous contemporary accounts in a bibliography. A well-detailed life of an important figure. Chronology; bibliography; index not seen. (Biography. 10-14) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
Author: Colman, Penny

Publisher: Atheneum

Binding: library

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0689318537

ISBN-13: 9780689318535