Who was Frances Perkins?

Every two weeks I am asked to help create the Library's podcast, which we call a "Bookcast". The bookcast is usually an interview with a local author, we usually carry the book in our catalog so you can check it out at the Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL).

Last week we interviewed Warren Brown, who used to have a show on FoodTV and owns a bakery named CakeLove, also the name of his book all about cakes. This week we interviewed an author, Kirsten Downey, who wrote about a figure who was instrumental in crafting the New Deal under Franklin Roosevelt's administration and became the first female cabinet member.

The figure is Frances Perkins, who helped craft the legislation for the 40-hour work week, social security, unemployment benefits, welfare, regulating child labor, establishing the federal minimum wage, the labor movement and pensions. She served 12 years as the head of the Labor Department and was the first woman to serve in a Presidents cabinet.