As a student of history I always enjoy the historical fiction treatment for people and events created by various authors. Becoming Madame Secretary so enlightening about Frances Perkins and her role in the events that shaped the world as we know it today I call it historical fiction with a capital "H". Indeed one must wonder where our nation would be if not for Frances Perkins.

Women who have been and are in public service and also with careers in other fields know the challenges of these positions when coupled with marriage and a family. What Parkins achieved is amazing. We can certainly thank her as one of the women on whose shoulders we stand as she forged new pathways for women.

The counsel and foresight Perkins shared with Roosevelt did, there is little doubt, contribute to many of the positive directions and programs during his administrations. Dray, true to her previous books, has woven an interesting dialogue covering some very important parts of the history of our nation.

A book worth reading for your personal illumination as well as a book destined for book clubs and the many different directions the conversations can flow.

This is a very well-written historical account of the rise of Frances Perkins, the first female Secretary of Labor. I found the story very engaging, if a bit long. And be sure to read the author’s note at the end of the book. Some fascinating additional details! I knew nothing of Miss Perkins and her important work in the history of country and am glad to know her story.

(4.75 rounded up to 5)

The fact Frances Perkins isn't a more widely discussed historical figure is shocking to me. I’m guilty of having spent years only knowing her by name and the fact she was the first woman to be a part of a presidential cabinet. I knew nothing of her story or her works.

The book follows Frances Perkins’ life and career in politics. This largely includes her marriage to Paul Wilson, her friendship with Mary Rumsey, and her partnership with Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Emotional, heartfelt, and above all inspiring, we get to follow her footsteps from New England to Washington D.C.

Though this is a work of fiction, there is a lot to be learned and, for me, has prompted further research. I particularly enjoyed reading the part of the story about Frances’ marriage to Paul and his mental health struggles. I appreciate how much care went into writing these real-life characters. It steered away from some of the more controversial topics that a lot of authors would have jumped to explore.

Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for providing a free e-ARC of the book!

I received a free e-arc of this book through Netgalley. I had heard the name Frances Perkins before, but this book really helped me appreciate how much she did to help people. She worked with FDR on The New Deal and pushed for safer working conditions and social security. It was interesting to see some behind the scenes type repartee with historical figures. Frances' own family life was very stressful so I'm twice as amazed by everything she accomplished.

Becoming Madam Secretary grabbed my attention right from the start. The author, Stephanie Dray, has managed to bring the characters to life on the page. Through her thorough research and wonderful reimagining where necessary, Dray has recreated the fascinating life of Frances Perkins, the first woman to serve as a cabinet secretary, and the amazing cast of historical figures of her time. This reader learned so much from this well-written and engaging novel. Truly a pleasure to read. I would recommend this to all who enjoy historical fiction, American history, and for the fans of Stefanie Dray.
Thank you to NetGalley, Stephanie Dray, and Berkley Books for the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy of Becoming Madam Secretary.

Rediscovering a 20th century Heroine

Becoming Madame Secretary, by Stephanie Dray. Berkeley Publishing Group, 2024, 528 pages.

Thank you to Book Browse, Berkly Publishing Group, and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy of this book.

This vivid novel, told in the first-person voice of Frances Perkins, the first female U.S. Cabinet member, brings to life this forgotten pioneer in the fight against poverty. It communicates Frances Perkins’ sense of mission and of responsibility, as well as the sacrifices she made as a public servant, and re-introduces and re-establishes her as a true American hero.
Frances Perkins (1880-1965) trained in social work and economics, and was part of the original, early 20th century Progressive Movement in American politics. She fought for the safety, health, and other rights of children, women, the poor and the elderly. And she conceived of “social insurance,” the Social Security that became law, with her guidance, under Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1935. During this time, she had personal losses and tragedies, including the manic-depressive illness and hospitalization of her husband, which were kept from the public with the help of influential women like Eleanor Roosevelt. Despite this, “Miss Perkins,” as she preferred to be known, became a lightning rod for conservative opponents, and was often vilified in the press and hampered by powerful men in achieving her compassionate yet pragmatic goals.
This blending of fact and fiction is also enlivened by cameos of people with whom Miss Perkins had close relationships: President Roosevelt, NY Governor Al Smith, novelist Sinclair Lewis, and Mary Harriman Rumsey, heiress and founder of New York’s Junior League, among other important jurists and social reformers.
A very private person, Miss Perkins did not leave much information about her own emotional life; author Stephanie Dray does a fine job of using what records remain, including love letters and poems, to describe what Miss Perkins may have experienced as she fought against misogyny and elitism to protect vulnerable people at all levels of society.

In case you don't remember who Frances Perkins was, she was the driving force behind creating social security, she put an end to the 12-hour-workday, and most child labor. She did this as Franklin Roosevelt's Secretary of Labor--the fiorst woman ever in the Cabinet--but by the time she was appointed, she'd been working in the settlement houses, championing health standards and workforce safety since the early 20th century. She had three college degrees in a time when it was difficult for women to go to college at all. She was married and had a child, but always went by the. name she was born with.

It's exhausting just to write that fractional list of her accomplishments and "Becoming Madame Secretary" could be a laundry list of achievements, but Stephanie Dray brings us into Frances's life. A barely middle class girl from Maine, she trained as a social worker and the book starts when she's starting her work in New York City. She had the gift for making it possible for the powers that be to say yes to her proposals--the Tammany bosses liked her for how easy she made it for them to improve the lives of their constituents and get their votes. She knew Eleanor Roosevelt but never cared for Franklin, until polio changed his character.

FDR insisted that she be his Secretary of Labor, even though she faced great opposition from all sides as a woman. He supported her every step of the way and embraced her idea for social security and many WPA projects, the sort of practical programs that helped people survive the Depression.

Speaking of depression, her beloved husband and daughter both suffered from what we now know as bipolar disorder.

And, oh, did I mention that she is an Episcopal saint? (May 13 is her day.)

This is so much for a writer to handle, especially the details of important legislation that need explaining. The novel does sag in places before Madame Secretary's good humor agile mind bouy up the story. How could such a remarkable human being be nearly forgotten? Thank you, Stephanie Dray, for putting Frances Perkins back in the spotlight.

Francis Perkins was the first woman to serve as a Cabinet Secretary. This is her back story. She was an independent woman determined to make a difference. She worked offering social services to communities in Chicago and New York. This led to her becoming a lobbyist in Albany where she met and was unimpressed by a young FDR. The story continues, covering both her public and private life and the conflicts that ensued.
Thanks to NetGalley for an eGalley of this title.

This was an incredibly entertaining and informative novel. I truly enjoyed it. Thanks to the publisher for giving me an e-galley in exchange for my honest review. I read a lot of historical fiction. When a novel is based on a person it typically falls into one of two categories. Either the author wants to stick so close to what is documented about the person that the plot is either thin or drags, OR, the author wants to share any bit of research (s)he uncovered and it's just a dump of information. Neither was the case with BECOMING MADAM SECRETARY. It was so well done. I knew nothing about Miss Perkins and learned so much, I was also flipping pages, eager to know what was coming next. Kudos to the author on a wonderful read. Thank you!

The reason I love historical fiction is because it introduces me to people and places I’d never know about. Madame Secretary by Stephanie Dray was a perfect example. Through this amazing book, I was able to discover Frances Perkins, one of the most influential women in U S History.

The author’s well researched , detailed and well written book dove into her life personally and professionally. I was able to really get to know her. She was a dedicated, driven woman who took no nonsense. As the only woman in an all male presidential cabinet; she achieved more than anyone expected. She fought hard because she knew the importance of protecting the young, the old and factory workers working in inhumane conditions.

She was a wife and mother, a Christian and friend. She was one of FDR’s closest advisors. She was a force to be reckoned with. And thank God for that.

We take many things for granted and social security is one of them. Now that I know how Frances Perkins tirelessly fought for this benefit, I will never feel that way again.

Thank you Frances for sacrificing so much so that we can rest easy in retirement and thank you Stephanie Dray for writing about this amazing woman. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

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 career in public service at a time when women were just gaining suffrage.Franklin Roosevelt appointed her Secretary of Labor, making her the first woman to hold a cabinet position and the catalyst for his New Deal policies.
Reading historical fiction I always wondered what was history and what was fiction. The author notes section makes the distinction clear., Ms.Dray writes to bring bigger than life historical figures into people I would like to meet.
While the book is informative it is foremost a lovely well written novel.

A great Historical novel about Francis Perkins, the first female to hold a Federal Cabinet Post. FDR selected her for the post of Secretary of Labor. The author begins the novel when Francis began her life/career as an activist in the 1900s in the areas of women/child labor,fire safety , horrific tenement conditions, She was a lobbyist for Al Smith Gov of New York. This is only a small sample of what she accomplished in her life time. She was was a major force in the implementation of Social Security. She accomplished this as well as a wife and mother.
The author moves the story along. Great for Book Club selection.

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.

Becoming Madame Secretary is a historical fiction book that is extremely well researched. It 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 beginning in 1933. She continued in that position through all of his four terms. 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 governor 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 the author’s word smithing 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

Stephanie Dray wraps up a great history lesson in a fabulous story that reminds us all of the hard working, innovative people that built our country.

Becoming Madam Secretary is another captivating women’s fiction written by Stephanie Dray. Frances Perkins, former US Labor Secretary under Franklin Roosevelt, is the subject. Ms. Dray has written another excellent book. I highly recommend this book

Wow, did I learn a lot reading this book!
Frances Perkins, the first woman to hold a position in the presidential cabinet did a lot.
I learned a lot about her and initiative to implement many policies to help Americans, especially social security, and I learned a lot about FDR, the President she served under.
My only complaint is the book ended... I wanted to learn more!
This is "historical fiction", so it isn't all true, but the majority of it is, and the author made it interesting to read.
I will definitely read more books by Stephanie Dray, she is a good writer, and she really does the work to learn about what she is writing about.

I'm always pulled to this time period due to my family history and stories that I heard from grandparents and great aunts and uncles. With that being said, it can sometimes also be a heavier read. This wasn't so deep and intense that I needed a break after I read it. Fans of historical and literary fiction will find this a good read. This was the first I've read by this author, and look forward to more.

I suspect I am not alone in not knowing the name of America’s ftrst female cabinet officer. It was enlightening to read how driven and determined Frances Perkins was. And, the depth of the sacrifices she made for her country.

The portrait of Perkins in this book has made me interested in learning more about her. The subject matter interested me, and her career arc was a compelling story.. inwould like to complement this fictional story with some contemporary accounts of her work.

Stephanie Dray has written a fascinating book about Frances Perkins a true trail blazer.A perfect book for book club discussion.I was drawn in to her lfe her story.#netgalley #berkley