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There are currently 33 member reviews
for Becoming Madam Secretary
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Melinda J. (East Hampton, CT)
Becoming Madam Secretary
Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray is an excellent historical fiction book. Frances Perkins was the first woman to be Secretary of Labor under Franklin Roosevelt. The book is fiction, and the author did make assumptions as she explains in her notes. The book is written in first person as if Miss Perkins is telling the story.
The book begins in 1909 with Frances Perkins beginning her journey as a woman fighting for the rights of children and women who are forced to work long hours in unsafe factories. She works for Florence Kelly, a suffragist and proponent of equality as Secretary of the Consumer's League. The fifty-four-hour bill is passed after much lobbying in Albany. Friends include Mary Harriman Rumsey, Sinclair Lewis, Al Smith, Theodore Roosevelt, and Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt.
The most important thing she accomplishes is the start of Social Security. The book ends with this accomplishment, although there is an epilogue that ends on the 50th anniversary of its passage. The book also includes personal information about Frances, her husband Paul Wilson, and their daughter Susanna.
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Dawn Z. (Canton, MI)
An excellent historical novel
I learned about Frances Perkins when I took a women's studies class in college (many years ago!). However, I had no idea of all the things she did for the country. This novel is based on Perkins' life, with some artistic license when documentary evidence was missing or when it served to move the story along more efficiently. It's very easy to read and left me proud of this powerful but humble woman.
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Shirley Finfrock
Historical Fiction, Extremely Well Researched
Becoming Madame Secretary is presented as a memoir written in the voice of Frances Perkins. Frances Perkins was the very first woman cabinet member selected by a President in our history. Franklin Delano Roosevelt named her Secretary of Labor for his first term in 1933. She held this position for of his four terms. She was a very determined woman who marshalled the Social Security Act and many other New Deal government programs to aid the citizens through the Depression and forward.
The story begins in 1909 when Frances moves to New York City after graduating from University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School with a Masters in Economics. She began with a fellowship with New York School of Philanthropy investigating childhood malnutrition with children in Hell’s Kitchen. The story follows her career through her activities in New York City, NY state politics in Albany with Governor Al Smith during his four terms as his labor advisor to becoming the Secretary of the Department of Labor with her successes into 1935.
It is not dry history, but a well rounded personal and professional look of Miss Perkins with relationships with her mentors, family and friends with believable dialogue. If you are a history buff and have read and enjoyed David McCullough books on historical subjects and persons, or political tomes by Doris Kearns Goodwin. You will not be disappointed by this author’s wordsmithing abilities.
The epilogue clearing states which of Frances Perkins’ activities are completely true, and which are enhanced by the author for continuity and dialogue. Frances Perkins continued her activities in a variety of ways including writing the book “The Roosevelt I Knew” and published in the year after FDR’s death. Frances left her oral history at Columbia University, was appointed by President Truman as US Civil Service Commission until 1953. She then began a new career of teaching, writing and public lectures and serving as lecturer at Cornell University’s new School of Industrial Relation.
For more information there is now a website for The Frances Perkins Center: francesperkinscenter.org
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Barbara B. (Harlingen, TX)
Becoming Madam Secretary
Frances Perkins was just a name. When the first chapter hinted at her accomplishments I knew this was a must read.
Frances struggled with family issues and for a public service career at a time when women were just gaining suffrage. Franklin Roosevelt appointed her to be his Secretary of Labor, making her the first woman to hold a cabinet position and the catalyst for his New Deal policies.
Reading historical fiction always makes me wonder what is history and what is fiction. The "author notes" section makes this description clear. Ms Dray writes turning bigger than life fictional figures into people I would like to meet.
While the book is informative it is foremost a lively well written novel.
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Catheryne Z. (Plano, TX)
First Woman Secretary of Labor
Frances Perkins was the first woman in a presidential cabinet and secretary of labor for Franklin D. Roosevelt. She made major accomplishments through the New Deal. I enjoyed reading about her personal and professional life. I was unfamiliar with her prior to reading this book. At times, the book was slow. I am impressed with her empathy and solutions to many of the problems that arose during the early 1900's through the Great Depression. I received an ARC copy from Bookbrowse and the publisher. Thank you! I am interested in reading more about Frances Perkins.
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Liz B. (Frisco, TX)
Interesting History
This is an interesting look into the life of Frances Perkins, the first female Secretary of Labor, under FDR. Took me a while to get through it but I really enjoyed a peek into the politics of the time, as well as the persevering spirit of Miss Perkins. The author's note at the end is particularly interesting as it outlines many factual details that the author was unable/unwilling to write into the story. Well done!
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Barbara R. (Lander, WY)
A Woman Who Changed America
By a weird coincidence, the day I started reading Becoming Madam Secretary a post about Frances Perkins popped up on my Facebook memories! I had read and shared a short biographical post about her a few years ago. I had been aware that she was the first woman to serve in the Cabinet, but I didn't know much else.
Stephanie Drey's historical novel about her career was well researched, well written, and very interesting. Perkins' interest in social welfare, her determination, and political connections changed people's lives even before she became Secretary of Labor for FDR. Every American owes her a debt of gratitude.
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