How the Nation's First 'Madam Secretary' Fought to Save Jewish Refugees Fleeing From Nazi Germany

A new book spotlights Frances Perkins' efforts to challenge the United States' restrictive immigration policies as President Franklin D. Roosevelt's secretary of labor
Virgil Wisoky Ret. · 5 days ago · 2 minutes read


Frances Perkins: The Trailblazing Secretary of Labor

A Progressive Pioneer

Frances Perkins was the first female cabinet secretary in American history. A social worker turned politique, she is credited with designing many of the New Deal policies that helped guide the nation through the Great Depression.

Guiding a Nation in Peril

As Secretary of Labor, Perkins was tasked with overseeing the Immigration and Naturalization Service. With Nazi Germany terrorizing Europe, she found herself at the forefront of the refugee crisis, facing the moral challenge of protecting those fleeing persecution.

"Could the U.S. be a refuge to oppressed people?" asks historian Rebecca Brenner Graham in her book Dear Miss Perkins. "Did it want to be? Could it overcome its own prejudices to be 'the golden door'?"

Unwavering Determination

Despite racist quotas and restrictive laws, Perkins tirelessly fought to save refugees and relocate them to America. She endured congressional crusades for her impeachment and public condemnation but remained steadfast in her belief that humanity and compassion should prevail.

"I have done what I could in time to make this great country of ours a little nearer our conception of the City of God."

- Frances Perkins, 1939

The Alaska Plan and Beyond

Perkins' activism extended beyond individual efforts. She proposed the Alaska Plan, an idea to resettle Jewish refugees in Alaska, and corresponded with individuals to explore every possible avenue of assistance.

A Woman of Letters

In addition to her work as a public servant, Perkins authored a biography of Franklin D. Roosevelt, The Roosevelt I Knew. While she often downplayed her own contributions, the book reveals her unwavering resolve and her belief in the power of government to help those in need.

A Legacy of Courage

Frances Perkins' legacy is one of collective and individual action, reminding us of the importance of creating institutions to help those in need and the immense impact that one person's unwavering determination can have on the course of history.