Frances Perkins
Workers-rights advocate who served as the US Secretary of Labor
Real World Example
Frances Perkins was the first woman to serve in the U.S. Cabinet, holding the position of Secretary of Labor from 1933 to 1945 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. She was a key figure in creating New Deal policies, including the Social Security Act, which provided financial assistance to the elderly, unemployed, and disabled. Her work helped improve working conditions, establish minimum wage laws, and enforce child labor restrictions, greatly benefiting American workers during the Great Depression. Today, her legacy continues as Social Security remains a vital program, providing support to millions of Americans, illustrating her long-lasting impact. For example, many families today rely on Social Security benefits to help grandparents with their living expenses, showing how her contributions continue to support everyday life.
