Frances Perkins: The Woman Who Changed Work in America

Frances Perkins wasn’t just a politician—she was a fighter for working people. She believed that everyone deserved fair wages, safe workplaces, and a secure future. As the first woman to serve in a U.S. Cabinet position, she helped shape policies that still impact millions of Americans today. From Social Security to minimum wage laws, her work laid the foundation for the rights workers have now.

A Childhood That Shaped Her Future

Frances Perkins was born on April 10, 1880, in Boston, Massachusetts, but she grew up in Worcester. From an early age, she was curious about the world around her. Her grandmother often told her stories about fairness and justice, which helped spark her passion for helping others.

She attended Mount Holyoke College, where she studied physics and chemistry. But it was a sociology class that changed her life. As part of the course, she visited factories and saw workers struggling under brutal conditions—long hours, low pay, and unsafe environments. This experience ignited a passion within her. She knew she had to do something.

After graduating in 1902, Frances moved to Chicago and worked at settlement houses, helping immigrant families adjust to life in America. She later moved to New York City, where she continued to fight for better living and working conditions. Wanting to make an even bigger impact, she went back to school and earned a master’s degree in economics and sociology from Columbia University.

A Moment That Changed Everything

One of the most defining moments of Frances Perkins’ life happened on March 25, 1911. That day, she witnessed one of the deadliest workplace disasters in U.S. history—the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City.

The fire spread quickly, and the workers—mostly young immigrant women—had no way to escape. They locked the factory doors to deter theft, a common yet deadly practice. As the flames engulfed the building, some workers leapt from the windows, resulting in their deaths. In total, 146 people lost their lives.

Frances was horrified. She was aware that the existence of workplace safety laws could have prevented these deaths. From that moment on, she made it her life’s mission to protect workers. She started working with reform groups and politicians to pass laws that made workplaces safer.

Her dedication led her to become New York’s Industrial Commissioner when Franklin D. Roosevelt was governor. In this role, she fought for fire safety regulations, fair wages, and unemployment benefits. She was making a difference, but her work was far from over.

Making History in Washington

In 1933, when Franklin D. Roosevelt became president, he appointed Frances Perkins as Secretary of Labor. She became the first woman in U.S. history to serve in a Cabinet position, but breaking barriers wasn’t enough for her—she wanted real change.

The country was in the middle of the Great Depression, and millions of Americans were struggling. Perkins played a key role in designing the New Deal, a series of programs aimed at helping people get back on their feet. Some of her biggest accomplishments included:

• Creating Social Security: Before this, many elderly Americans had no financial support. Social Security provided them with a safety net so they could live with dignity.
• Establishing the minimum wage: She fought for laws that ensured workers were paid fairly for their labor.
• Ending child labor: At the time, children as young as five were working long hours in dangerous conditions. Perkins pushed for laws that protected kids and gave them the chance to go to school.
• Improving workplace safety: She worked on laws that required businesses to have fire escapes, emergency exits, and reasonable work hours.

Frances Perkins wasn’t afraid to stand up to powerful business owners who didn’t want these changes. She faced criticism and resistance, but she never backed down. She knew that fighting for. She understood that advocating for workers’ rights held greater significance than gaining popularity. 

A Lasting Legacy

Frances Perkins served as Secretary of Labor for 12 years, longer than anyone before or since. After leaving government, she continued teaching and advocating for workers’ rights.

Despite her passing on May 14, 1965, her impact continues to resonate today. Social Security, workplace safety laws, and minimum wage protections exist because of her tireless work. In her honor, the Frances Perkins Building in Washington, D.C., now houses the U.S. Department of Labor.

Frances Perkins believed in a simple but powerful idea: that every worker deserves dignity, respect, and protection. She spent her life making that vision a reality, and because of her, millions of people have a better, safer, and more secure future.