This was different than I anticipated. I was expecting more details of individual Miss Perkins helped. Rather this is fascinating information about Frances Perkins role in FDR's cabinet and concern for immigrants and immigration. Her work within his cabinet has influenced immigration policy through many Presidency.

"Dear Miss Perkins" should be required reading for all students of US history. Not only does this title highlight efforts made by Frances Perkins to save both Jewish and non-Jewish people fleeing Europe early in and during World War II, but it gives readers the arguments made by those opposing (nearly everyone). With that stated, the same anti-immigrant rhetoric arguments are still used by politicians and civilians today, in 2025. However, Frances Perkins continued to work diligently using her power and privilege afforded to her by her position at Labor Secretary to fight for both children refugees, and families, to enter the USA whether to become citizens or on temporary visas.

Since I doubt this will ever makes its way into US history curriculum at high school or collegiate levels, I STRONGLY recommend this short nonfiction title for all those interested in US history, women's history, WWII history, refugee and immigrant history, and those who are interested in current events and how history has led us to where we are today.

I'm grateful for this fantastic audio narration of my debut narrative nonfiction book. many thanks to outstanding audio narrator Tanya Eby and to Netgalley for letting me listen!

This is a well written, concise book about Frances Perkins, in particular the ways she worked to impact immigration before and during World War 2. It is a history book that does not bore while it instructs. The reader is engaging and melodious.

Dear Miss Perkins is centered around Frances Perkins. While she isn't a household name, Miss Perkins was quite an extraordinary woman. She was the first woman to serve in a presidential cabinet acting as Labor Secretary to FDR. She oversaw aiding German Jews, especially children, in finding safety in America. It wasn't an easy task and she faced immense and intense criticism and antisemitism at nearly every turn. Despite the difficulties, the empathy she possessed and her desire to do good for other is inspiring and in the face of the current wave of anti-immigration rhetoric, something more of us could emulate.

The author's depth of research is evident and the narration was well done. This is a wonderful addition to any biography/women in history/FDR era lovers collection.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for a review copy of this audiobook.

Francis Perkins is a fascinating character to me and one that I feel like so many Americans are ignorant of. I was thrilled to get the chance to read more about her.

In Rebecca Brenner Graham's Dear Miss Perkins, we uncover not just the story of Francis Perkins, the first female cabinet member, but rather, we learn of her humanitarian efforts. I had no idea Perkins worked at Hull House. Through her office as Secretary of Labor, Perkins worked to save Jewish families during WWII. Courageous and iconoclastic, Perkins left an indelible legacy on American History. Brenner Graham has done an excellent job bringing this new information to light in an easy to read but still very educational title.

The narration was excellent and I would highly recommend the audio version to readers who enjoy US history.

Dear Miss Perkins is a biography of Frances Perkins, the first woman to serve in a presidential cabinet. As Labor Secretary to FDR, she was able to help German Jews, particularly children, find safety in America. It wasn't easy. She faced criticism and antisemitism at every turn. Her empathy and tenacity are truly inspiring, especially in times full of anti-immigration rhetoric.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for a review copy of this audiobook.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tantor Media for the digital copy of this audiobook; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Frances Perkins is not a name bandied about a lot by historians despite the fact that she was the first female presidential cabinet member. This was back in 1932, just over a decade after women finally got the right to vote. Not only was she the first cabinet secretary, she served so honorably for twelve years. I’ve read a lot about Franklin Roosevelt and his presidency, and a few historians in recent years have gotten the narrative right. Frances Perkins fought for many of the social programs that exist today at the federal level.

What I did not know until reading this book is that the immigration department was under the Labor Department until Frances Perkins started making noise about the Jewish refugees who needed somewhere to go because of Nazi oppression, and later, concentration camps. You see, in the 1920s, quotas were put upon immigrants, and it was like that for decades. Only certain numbers of people were allowed into the United States, and it all depended upon what country you were from. Frances Perkins fought to have the rules changed due to the dire straits Jews across Europe were facing in the 1930s.

Many people wrote to Frances Perkins for help with their immigration status, and she answered every letter that was sent to her. Some of these letters are excerpted for the book. When one particular immigrant from Australia, who had been in the United States for several years, started a strike for workers where he was employed, eyes rested on Perkins and her job because she oversaw immigration. Congress tried to impeach her, imagine that. Soon after, the immigration department was moved from Labor to Justice, you know, the crime department. Such is the way of this racist, xenophobic nation.

Despite having immigration taken away from under her purview, Perkins would occasionally stick her hands into trying to help people who were trying to immigrate to the United States. One such family was the Von Trapps. Yes, THOSE Von Trapps, of The Sound of Music fame.

The end of the book kind of meandered after that, rather than focusing on Perkins but rather on how Americans felt about and how they viewed the history of the holocaust. It was still interesting but had little to do with Frances Perkins herself. Still a solid 4-star read.

Narrated by Tanya Eby. I thought she did a great job and would listen to something with this narrator again.

You'll learn a great deal from this book, some of it quite disturbing. Far from the "land of opportunity" most American's like to think of our country as, it's often been downright unwelcoming. In fact, we seem to be going through a phase of deja vu again right now. Sigh. Yet, amongst the turmoil, one can find moments of hope. Moments of inspriation. Frances Perkins' life is an example of that. While I did know of her, about how she served as the first female cabinet member (Labor, under FDR), I had little real knowledge of the true challenge she faced.

Although I initially took copious notes, I eventually abandoned that tactic in favor of simply reading or, in my case since I had the audio book, listening. Maybe it was a subconscious effort to push forward faster in hopes of reaching a "happily ever after" ending. No such luck. The same issues that faced Perkins face us today, magnified by social media. Let's face it, racism and immigration are hot topic, problematic issues even today. Knowing this, that makes Perkins' accomplishments all the more impressive. While she certainly didn't solve all the problems of her day, just like no one person will do so today, she did what she could, often against strong opposition. In other words, she made a difference. Looking back, so many of the things we Americans take for granted today were born from Perkins' ideas and, with the backing of FDR, many were enacted into laws that still guide us today. As an Alaskan, one of the ideas that was floated about, btw, not necessarily by Perkins, was to use the then territory of Alaska as a sort of refugee location. Obviously that one didn't go anywhere.

I'd be doing you a disservice to even attempt to summarize all the history and issues/actions discussed. This one deserves a read. In fact, I'm thinking it should be required reading/listening for anyone who has any interest in not just history but current affairs. While much of the history was saddening, there is much of hope to be found here, too. Perkins pushed against limits, just as modern progressives are and she made a difference. All while dealing with an institutionalized husband suffering from Bi-Polar disease, I might add.

Bottom line, not an easy read by any means although I think the better wording might better be "not a comfortable read". There's a huge amount of information to take in, not all involving immigration and refugees, and the author's obvious deep dive of research shows. While focused around letters citizens sent Perkins, it's far more broad reaching and comprehensive. It's easy to mumble about nostalgia for the good ol' days but, well, those good ol' days for some were anything but for others. This book, telling of how one rather private, steely determined woman made a difference should serve as an inspiration and reminder to us that, yes, one person can make a difference. We may not change the world like Perkins but we can make a difference to many. Thanks #TantorAudio for allowing me this early read/listen. While I was deeply uncomfortable reading portions of it, hope shines through. Frances Perkins persevered and did make a difference. Maybe that's why the character of Baby in "Dirty Dancing" was named after her?