In a significant move, President Joe Biden proclaimed a national monument on Monday in honor of Frances Perkins, the first woman to hold a position in a presidential Cabinet and a key architect of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal initiatives following the Great Depression. This gesture not only pays tribute to Perkins’ contributions but also reinforces Biden’s commitment to women’s and labor rights as he nears the end of his presidency.
Biden referred to Perkins as “one of America’s greatest labor leaders,” asserting that her legacy is not an exaggeration. He emphasized her pivotal role in establishing the principle that people working full-time should not have to live in poverty, encapsulating her commitment to social justice and workers’ rights.
The proclamation took place in Newcastle, Maine, after a speech at the Department of Labor. The department’s headquarters bears Perkins’ name, commemorating her vital role in formulating policies that shaped the New Deal during the 1930s. Perkins was the longest-serving labor secretary in the nation’s history and played a crucial role in the establishment of key legislation, including the Social Security Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the National Labor Relations Act, which secured the rights of workers to organize and negotiate collectively.
Speaking about Perkins’ impact, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland noted that the late labor secretary only accepted her Cabinet position after securing President Roosevelt’s commitment to support her initiatives aimed at improving working conditions for everyone. Haaland praised Perkins for her relentless efforts to realize her goals and highlighted the high standards of excellence she set, which continue to inspire public servants today.
Perkins had strong ties to Newcastle, where she was interred after her death in 1965. The newly established monument will be located on her family’s homestead and will be managed by the National Park Service, an agency within the Interior Department.
In a related announcement, Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su stated Biden’s induction into the department’s Hall of Honor, which he described as an “incredible honor.” Known for his pro-labor stance, Biden made history last year as the first sitting president to join striking laborers on the picket line when he stood alongside United Auto Workers members in Michigan.
Additionally, on the same day, Haaland announced the designation of five new national historic landmarks celebrating significant contributions made by women throughout American history. These landmarks include the Charleston Cigar Factory in South Carolina, the Furies Collective, and the homes of pioneers Lucy Diggs Slowe and Mary Burrill in Washington, along with Azurest South in Virginia and the Peter Hurd and Henriette Wyeth House and Studios in New Mexico.
