Frances Perkins made history by becoming the first female cabinet member in U.S. history when appointed as Secretary of Labor by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Her 12-year tenure revolutionized American labor policy through major New Deal initiatives.

Frances Perkins shattered the glass ceiling in American politics when she became the first woman to serve in a U.S. presidential cabinet. Her groundbreaking appointment as Secretary of Labor by President Franklin D. Roosevelt marked a pivotal moment in both labor reform and women's rights.

On March 4, 1933, Perkins stepped into her historic role, serving throughout FDR's entire presidency until 1945. Her appointment wasn't just symbolic - she brought extensive experience in labor relations and social reform, having served as New York State's Industrial Commissioner under then-Governor Roosevelt. During her tenure, she'd emerge as a key architect of crucial New Deal programs that transformed American workers' lives.

Frances Perkins' journey to becoming Labor Secretary began with her dedication to social reform and labor rights in the early 1900s. Her experiences shaped her understanding of workers' needs and prepared her for national leadership.

Frances Perkins started her career as a social worker in Chicago's Hull House in 1904, documenting workplace conditions and advocating for worker safety. Her involvement in labor reform intensified after witnessing the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911, where 146 workers died due to unsafe conditions. From 1912 to 1917, Perkins served on the New York State Factory Investigation Commission, leading investigations into workplace hazards across 3,000 factories.

• Expanded factory investigations to 34 industries
• Reduced the workweek for women to 48 hours
• Established minimum wage laws for state workers
• Created unemployment insurance programs
• Strengthened workplace safety regulations across 187,000 workplaces

Achievement	Impact
Factory Inspections	34 industries covered
Workplaces Regulated	187,000 locations
Women's Work Hours	Reduced to 48 hours/week

Frances Perkins made history on March 4, 1933, when she was sworn in as the U.S. Secretary of Labor under President Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration. Her appointment marked the beginning of a 12-year tenure that transformed American labor policy.

Perkins broke gender barriers as the first female cabinet member in U.S. history. Her appointment demonstrated a significant shift in American politics, opening doors for women in high-level government positions. The press initially referred to her as "Madam Secretary," establishing a formal title now used for female cabinet members. During her confirmation hearings, she received support from 58 senators who voted in favor of her appointment.

• Industrial relations management across 34 industries
• Labor law implementation in 187,000 workplaces
• Workplace safety reforms at the state level
• Social welfare program administration

Appointment Details	Data
Appointment Date	March 4, 1933
Senate Confirmation Votes	58 in favor
Length of Service	12 years (1933-1945)
States with Implemented Reforms	28

Frances Perkins transformed American labor policy during her 12-year tenure as Secretary of Labor through groundbreaking reforms and legislation. Her leadership shaped workplace conditions, social security programs, and labor rights across the United States.

Perkins spearheaded several key New Deal initiatives that revolutionized American labor policy:

• Established the Social Security Act of 1935, providing retirement benefits for 30 million workers

• Created unemployment insurance systems covering 24 million employees by 1938

• Implemented the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, setting the first federal minimum wage at $0.25 per hour

• Introduced the 40-hour work week standard affecting 12 million industrial workers

• Developed child labor restrictions removing 50,000 children from the workforce by 1936

• Organized the Civilian Conservation Corps, employing 3 million young men in public works projects

• Expanded factory inspections to 187,000 workplaces across 34 industries

• Implemented occupational safety standards in 28 states by 1940

• Created the Division of Labor Standards to enforce workplace regulations

• Established safety protocols for hazardous industries reducing workplace accidents by 35%

• Developed industrial hygiene programs in 450 manufacturing facilities

• Instituted mandatory reporting requirements for workplace injuries across 12 major industries

Safety Reform Metrics (1933-1945)	Impact
Workplace Inspections	187,000
States with Safety Standards	28
Reduction in Accidents	35%
Manufacturing Facilities with Hygiene Programs	450
Industries with Mandatory Reporting	12

Frances Perkins transformed American labor policy through groundbreaking legislation that established foundational worker protections. Her initiatives created lasting changes in workplace safety, social security benefits and fair labor practices across the United States.

The Social Security Act of 1935 marked Perkins' most significant achievement as Labor Secretary. The program provided retirement benefits to 30 million workers through a self-funded system that collected payroll taxes from 42 industries. Key components included:

• Monthly retirement payments ranging from $10 to $85 for workers aged 65 and older

• Survivor benefits for 2 million widows and dependent children by 1940

• State-administered unemployment insurance covering 24 million employees

• Aid programs supporting 1.3 million elderly Americans and 500,000 dependent children

• First federal minimum wage of $0.25 per hour affecting 12 million workers

• 40-hour workweek standard for industrial employees

• Overtime pay requirements of 1.5x regular wages

• Child labor restrictions removing 50,000 children from industrial work

• Workplace safety standards reducing accidents by 35% across 450 facilities

• Mandatory injury reporting systems in 12 major industries

Social Security Impact (1935-1940)	Fair Labor Standards Impact (1938)
30 million workers covered	12 million workers affected
42 industries participating	50,000 children removed from labor
24 million received unemployment insurance	35% reduction in workplace accidents
2 million widows/dependents supported	450 facilities with new safety standards

Frances Perkins' enduring legacy extends beyond her 12-year tenure as Labor Secretary. Her groundbreaking policies continue to shape modern labor standards through three key areas of impact.

• Established Social Security benefits that protect 66.9 million Americans today
• Created unemployment insurance systems now operating in all 50 states
• Implemented minimum wage standards that form the basis of current federal wage laws
• Set the 40-hour workweek precedent that remains the U.S. standard for full-time employment

The Frances Perkins Building in Washington D.C., dedicated in 1974, serves as the U.S. Department of Labor headquarters. Her influence lives on through:

• The Frances Perkins Center in Maine preserves her family homestead as a museum
• Cornell University's School of Industrial & Labor Relations houses her papers
• Mount Holyoke College established the Frances Perkins Program for non-traditional students
• The U.S. Department of Labor's Frances Perkins award recognizes workplace safety achievements

Perkins' pioneering role earned numerous posthumous honors:

• Inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1982

• Featured on a U.S. postage stamp in 1980

• Received the Distinguished Achievement Award from the American Council on Education

• Inspired the creation of 8 academic programs focused on labor policy

• Generated 23 biographical works documenting her contributions to American labor reform

• 58 women have served in presidential cabinets since her appointment

• 3 women have held the position of Labor Secretary

• Created precedent for addressing female cabinet members as "Madam Secretary"

• Established leadership models for women in federal executive positions

• Frances Perkins became U.S. Secretary of Labor on March 4, 1933, making history as the first woman to serve in a presidential cabinet
• She served during Franklin D. Roosevelt's entire presidency from 1933 to 1945, leading crucial labor reforms over her 12-year tenure
• Prior to her appointment, Perkins gained extensive experience in labor relations as New York State's Industrial Commissioner and through her work investigating workplace conditions
• During her term, she championed major New Deal initiatives including the Social Security Act of 1935, establishing the first federal minimum wage, and implementing the 40-hour workweek
• Her legacy continues through modern labor standards, with the Department of Labor headquarters named in her honor and her policies protecting millions of American workers today

Frances Perkins' appointment as Labor Secretary in 1933 marked a pivotal moment in American history. Her groundbreaking twelve-year tenure revolutionized labor policies and established crucial worker protections that Americans still benefit from today. As the first female cabinet member she didn't just break gender barriers - she created a lasting legacy of social reform that includes Social Security unemployment insurance and workplace safety standards.

Her achievements continue to influence modern labor policies while inspiring future generations of public servants. The numerous institutions and honors bearing her name stand as testament to her enduring impact on American workers' rights and women's leadership in government.