The Only Woman in the Photo: Frances Perkins & Her New Deal for America

“When someone opens a door to you, go forward.” Advice from Frances Perkins’s grandmother guided her life. Before she became “the first woman ever to join a presidential cabinet,” Perkins had transformed herself from a quiet observer to an effective activist, building a career on righting wrongs—operating as a social worker, speaking out for suffrage, reporting on hazardous workplaces, and advocating for fire safety after the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. When FDR asks Perkins to serve as secretary of labor, she agrees—as long as “FDR allowed her to do it her way.” In 1935, Perkins achieved “her most far-reaching dream... the life-changing Social Security Act.” Weaving in quotes from Perkins, Krull crafts a deft introduction to the achievements of a remarkable woman. Bye’s snappy illustrations are notable for crisp lines and stylized period flair. Supplemental materials included. Ages 4–8. [em](Feb.) [/em]