Frances Perkins, appointed as the Secretary of Labor in March 1933, faced immediate scrutiny as the first female cabinet member. Her background as a social worker fueled her impactful advocacy during the economic crisis and led to her pivotal role in crafting New Deal policies—culminating in landmark legislations like the Social Security Act. Additionally, as WWII unfolded, Perkins confronted a moral dilemma in addressing the plight of Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution, challenging discriminatory laws while enduring political backlash for her efforts to open America's doors to those in need.
"Perkins was no Washingtonian," writes historian Rebecca Brenner Graham in her new book, Dear Miss Perkins: A Story of Frances Perkins' Efforts to Aid Refugees From Nazi Germany.
Faced with racist quotas and restrictive laws, Perkins dared public condemnation—even enduring a congressional crusade for her impeachment—in a desperate effort to save refugees and relocate them to the United States.
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