Frances Perkins: Social Security’s Unsung Hero

As we celebrate Women’s History, we should remember Frances Perkins contribution to the nation. She was the first woman cabinet member in U.S. history, and served as Secretary of Labor under President Franklin Roosevelt. She is credited by many historians as being the architect behind FDR’s New Deal program.

She was also primarily responsible for the 1935 Social Security Act, which established a federal old-age pension system and a federal-state plan of unemployment insurance. Perkins, who was known as Madam Secretary, as played a main role in the enactment of the Fair Labor Standards Act, which established minimum wage and maximum hours for workers. Although 58 million citizens have benefited from this, very few know the name of the woman responsible.

On the 25th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision upholding the constitutionality of the Social Security Act, Perkins commented on her achievement saying, “”Social Security is so firmly embedded in the American psychology today that no politician or political party could possibly destroy this Act and still maintain our democratic system.” Read more about the unsung hero at Delaware Online. Contact the Kenneth G Law Firm today.

Kenneth G. Marks has been practicing personal injury law since he was admitted to the California Bar in 1981. www.KmarksLaw.com