Episode Recording -- "Kelly's account of Francis Perkins"

0:00-2:30 The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire and Its Impact

The 1911 fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory was a tragic event that exposed the harsh realities of industrial labor conditions. 146 workers died in the fire, mostly young women. It became a pivotal event in the history of American labor rights, highlighting the need for workplace reform and greater attention to the welfare of workers, especially women. Frances Perkins was one of the many people that witnessed the fire, and this event was what motivated her desire to begin work in labor reform. She decided to advocate for workers’ rights and advocating for social change became a defining characteristic of her career.

2:30-5:00 FDR’s Second Inaugural Address and the First New Deal

In the year 1928, Roosevelt had just been elected as the governor of New York. He witnessed the events leading to the Great Depression and attempted to deal with the economic crisis with the New Deal in later years. He explained that this was a “matter of social duty, not charity”. He relied on Frances (who was the state commissioner of the labor department) at the time to lobby for legislation that improved working conditions, and minimized the amount of children working in factories. In 1937 FDR made his second inaugural address. He let people know that he was aware of the conditions of many folks and that he was going to work diligently to improve conditions. FDR was determined to recognize each citizen of the U.S. and show that he is concerned and knows the severity of many American people. Not long after, The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) in 1938 went on to establish maximum hours, minimum wages, and child labor restrictions. For all 12 years FDR was in office, Perkins was vital to establishing the Social Security Act, and other reforms.

5:00-7:30 Women’s Expanding Role in Employment and Activism

Women during this time were largely excluded from formal management and leadership roles. Frances Perkins tore down these barriers, setting a precedent for women in the ages to come. In 1889, Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr opened the Hull House, a place that was created to offer education and opportunities to an impoverished neighborhood of majority immigrants. The house leaders gathered people politically to support local and state laws that would enforce “sanitary housing codes” and “create public playgrounds, juvenile courts, mothers’ pensions, workers compensation laws, and legislation prohibiting child labor and monitoring the working conditions in the factory sweatshops”. Lilian Wald initiated the construction of the federal

children's Bureau in 1912. The house provided many opportunities to women and led to a progressive movement to improve the working and living conditions of immigrants and U.S. citizens. Perkins also worked at a Hull house in Philadelphia, as a social worker finding young women that were being trafficked into prostitution and helping them find a safe space to live and work.

7:30-9:00 Frances Perkins: Architect of Labor Reform and Social Security

Frances was born in 1880 in Boston, Massachusetts; and went to school at Mount Holyoke College and Columbia University. Perkins, the first woman in the U.S. Cabinet, served as Secretary of Labor from 1933 to 1945. A driving force behind the New Deal, she demanded key labor reforms—Social Security, unemployment insurance, and the 40-hour work week—before accepting the role. Despite opposition and sexism, Perkins remained steadfast, motivated by a deep sense of duty to protect workers. Her earlier experiences, including witnessing the Triangle Fire and her social work in Hull Houses, shaped her resolve. Frances endured heavy criticism during her time in office, with many sexist voices telling her she was unfit for the position daily. She details her method for ignoring it all and preserving for greater good was fueled by strong faith and resilience for knowing how this change will impact the future. She emphasized her commitment to dignity and the well-being of workers, believing in the moral responsibility of our country's leaders to selflessly promote positive social change. Her legacy has continued to be shared and appreciated today, the Frances Perkins Center in Maine is dedicated to her legacy.

0:00-0:54 Introduction/Teaser Trailer: Title: Frances Perkins 

My name is Kelly Baumgart and I am a student of Dr. Andrew Maginn History of the United States II class.

My podcast is for other students who are curious about the New Deal era, important historical actors, and anyone that is inspired by the shift of labor and social laws during this period.

Frances Perkins was born in 1880 in Boston, Massachusetts; and went to school at Mount Holyoke College and Columbia University. She was the first woman to become the Secretary of Labor, a turning point in U.S. history for labor laws and women. She advocated for labor reform that reshaped the American workforce, breaking political barriers and fundamentally changing the social welfare standards in our country.

Reintroduction: We are going to be discussing Frances Perkins and her influence during the New Deal, Women's Employment and Activism, Labor laws, FDR’s role, and the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. 

0:54-2:25 Supporting Point 1: The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire and Its Impact

The Triangle Shirtwaist was a factory located on the top three floors of the Asch Building in New York City. The factory was known for its unsafe working conditions. People often worked in overcrowded spaces, and were forced to work long hours for low wages.

On March 25, 1911, the fire broke out. The fire spread quickly due to the large amounts of fabric and other flammable materials in the factory. 146 workers died in the fire, mostly young women. Many jumped from windows to escape the flames, while others were either burned alive or suffocated by smoke.

A year prior to the tragic event, the Triangle employees went on strike “demanding union recognition, higher wages, and safer conditions.” The owners did not invest in a fire escape and locked the doors because they thought they were too expensive and would risk people stealing. A reporter by the name of Bill Shepherd stated after the fire:

“I looked upon the heap of dead bodies. I remembered these girls were shirtwaist makers. I remembered their great strike last year in which the same girls had demanded more sanitary conditions and more safety precautions in the shops. These dead bodies were the answer.”

Frances Perkins witnessed this tragic event and since stated that this was what influenced her into working to improve labor standards. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire became a pivotal event in the history of American labor rights, highlighting the need for workplace reform and greater attention to the welfare of workers, especially women.

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2:25-3:47 Supporting Point 2: Women’s Expanding Role in Employment and Activism

Women were starting to get into more diverse job fields, as before the majority were stuck at home taking care of things. Due to this, there were a lot of unknown factors and lack of guidance from the government on how women could navigate the job market. “The number of employed women went from over 2.6 million in 1880 to 4 million in 1890, then from 5.1 million in 1900 to 7.8 million in 1910.”

In 1889, Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr opened the Hull House, a place that was created to offer education and opportunities to an impoverished neighborhood. The house leaders gathered people politically to support local and state laws that would enforce “sanitary housing codes” and “create public playgrounds, pensions, workers compensation laws, legislation prohibiting child labor and monitoring the working conditions in the factory sweatshops.”

Lilian Wald initiated the construction of the Federal Children’s Bureau in 1912. The house provided many opportunities to women and led to a progressive movement to improve the working and living conditions of immigrants and U.S. citizens.

Perkins worked at a similar Hull House in Philadelphia at the beginning of her career, as a social worker finding young women that were being trafficked into prostitution and helping them find a safe space to live and work.

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3:47-5:25 Supporting Point 3: FDR’s Second Inaugural Address and the First New Deal

In the year 1928, Roosevelt had just been elected as the governor of New York. He witnessed the events leading to the Great Depression and attempted to deal with the economic crisis by creating the New Deal in later years. He explained that this was a “matter of social duty, not charity.” As governor, he enacted the Temporary Emergency Relief Administration (TERA), that supplied public jobs at minimum wage and provided food, shelter, and clothes to those who were lacking. He relied on Frances, who was the state commissioner of the labor department at the time, to lobby for legislation that improved working conditions, and minimized the amount of children working in factories. Perkins was a loyal supporter and colleague of Roosevelt, as she continued to Washington with him and became the first female secretary of labor.

In 1937, FDR made his second inaugural address. He let people know that he was aware of the conditions of many folks and that he was going to work diligently to improve conditions.

“I see millions lacking the means to buy the products of farms and factories and by their poverty denying work and productivity to many other millions. I see one-third of a nation ill-housed, ill-clad, ill-nourished.”

Not long after, The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) in 1938 went on to establish maximum hours, minimum wages, and child labor restrictions. For all 12 years FDR was in office, Perkins was vital to establishing the Social Security Act. This social insurance program was formed by Perkins with the support of FDR.

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5:25-7:50 Supporting Point 4: Frances Perkins: Architect of Labor Reform and Social Security

Frances Perkins shared a vision with FDR for social reform, labor protections, and workplace safety. She was the first woman to serve in the U.S. Cabinet (1933–1945) and faced skepticism from her male colleagues. “Some male labor department staffers threatened to resign, rather than to report to a woman.” She was very stern on her conditions to accepting the position, which included implementing social security, minimum wage, and unemployment insurance.

This was not an easy feat. She had many people in Congress and businesses that didn’t agree with her, and she had to navigate this opposition carefully to fully advocate for the working class. Furthermore, she campaigned for the 40-hour work week, child labor bans, and defended immigrants and refugees.

Women during this period in time were largely excluded from formal management and leadership roles. Frances Perkins tore down these barriers, setting a precedent for women in the ages to come. 

“I came to Washington to work for God, FDR, and the millions of forgotten, plain common workingmen.”

She emphasized her commitment to dignity and the well-being of workers, believing in the moral responsibility of our country’s leaders to selflessly promote positive social change.

Frances endured heavy criticism during her time in office, with many sexist voices telling her she was unfit for the position daily. She details her method for ignoring it all and persevering for the greater good was fueled by strong faith and resilience for knowing how this change would impact the future.

And as Senator Elizabeth Warren stated:

[Audio Clip: Elizabeth Warren, 1:19–1:52]

Her legacy has continued to be shared and appreciated today—the Frances Perkins Center in Maine is dedicated to her legacy and has been declared a national historic landmark.

7:50-8:40 Conclusion

Frances passed away in 1965, at 85 years old and was buried with her husband. Her hard work towards social safety is ingrained in many forms of legislation. In 1980, the Department of Labor headquarters in Washington D.C. named the building after her in honor. Recently in August of 2024 world famous sculpture Meredith Bergmann installed a beautiful statue of Perkins in downtown Ithaca to honor her and her roots tied to the city. 

Outro: There is an inscription on the statue that I think perfectly shows Frances Perkins and the influence she had on society.  “I had to do something about unnecessary hazards to life, unnecessary poverty. It was up to me.”

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