I've just finished reading "Becoming Madam Secretary" by Stephanie Dray. Frances Perkins was the first woman to be in the president's cabinet. Her field of study was economics and sociology. Her first big step in her career was moving to New York City and becoming involved in rights for women and children working in sweatshops under terrible conditions and for long hours. She was so upset when the Triangle Fire happened in a warehouse and so many young women lost their lives. She served as a leader in the Consumer League and also the Industrial
Commission. At a young age she was noted as a strong independent and intelligent woman and caught the eye of President Franklin D.
Roosevelt.
I have read other books about FDR and also watched a documentary about him. When I saw what the book was about, I thought that I know
enough about him, but I was pleasantly surprised to learn much more. My husband's father told of listening to FDR's fireside chats on the radio in the 1930's. He was not a fan of him as being a farmer he thought the President overlooked farmers.
Frances Perkins was asked by FDR to be in his cabinet as Secretary of Labor. Her relationship with the President was many times very
contemptuous. She had hard fought battles with men in the cabinet and also the press condemning her. She was a fighter and did so much for the country and her crowning achievement was putting forth Social Security. So many Americans had suffered through the depression and no job and hunger. We can thank her today for this.
In her personal life she had a husband that developed mental issues and was eventually institutionalized. Thiis left Frances to raise her daughter, support her family, and had a very demanding career in government. Not a lot has been written about her, but Stephanie Dray has written a blockbuster of a novel. I have enjoyed several of her historical novels. Thanks to Net Galley and Berkley Publishers for the opportunity to read this amazing book.

a wonderful story of Frances Perkins who went on to assist President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. So much sacrifice to save the nation, A very interesting entertaining story what is a real page turner and a must read!

I could not put this one down! This was engaging and inspiring. I did not know anything about Frances Perkins but by the time I turned the final page I was beyond appreciative of all she did. We get to follow Frances as she manages to make friends, get married, handle some of the most difficult personal challenges, and is still able to create massive change for our country and its workforce. I was fascinated to learn of her friendship with Franklin Roosevelt. It gave an interesting insight into his own experiences and challenges. I also adored the friendship she had with Sinclair Lewis. While this is a decidedly historical novel, there is a ton of modernity to it with the discussions around working mothers and the sacrifices and choices they must make on a daily basis. This book is written in such a way that it flows with ease. I inhaled it because I was gripped from beginning to end. If you are looking for an inspirational novel about an inspirational woman, this is your book. A solid 5 stars!

BECOMING MADAM SECRETARY is a sweeping drama that follows the life of Frances Perkins. Thank you @prhaudio and @berkley for my early audio and digital copy of @stephaniedray newest historical fiction novel, out now.

The novel follows Frances Perkins to NYC as a young, educated woman ready to take on the labor industries to protect children, and then proceeds to follow her life as a young woman, then as she marries Paul Wilson and perseveres through deep personal loss and continued political growth under the likes of FDR and several NY governors. She challenges the wave of the Great Depression, continuing to help those most in need, while deftly traversing the treacherous realms of government politics.

My heart broke many times over for Frances and Paul, as their marriage continued and they rode the waves of mental health.

Frances continues on, impacting the country’s strongest programs, like the CCC as well as Social Security.

Mary Rumsey’s friendship with Frances was just lovely, and my heart was broken again. She did everything with such gusto, despite her privileged upbringing.

Sinclair Lewis was a friend, writer, and supporter of Frances as well!

I knew there were women involved in these influential programs in our country’s history, but I had not a clue that Frances Perkins had such an integral hand!

What a beautiful sweeping tribute to an exceptional woman in history. The longest serving Secretary of Labor in US history, most consequential cabinet member since Alexander Hamilton. I am thankful that a historical fiction novel would dare to tread where biographers weren’t willing to go.

Book Review: Becoming Madame Secretary ✨

Author: @stephanie.dray
Publisher: @berkleypub
Release Date: 3/12

⁉️: What are you doing for Women’s History Month this March?

This was such a perfect read that released this Monday. New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Dray returns with a novel detailing the life of American heroine Frances Perkins. At the turn of the century, Perkins arrives in New York City. When she isn’t working with children in the tenements in Hell’s Kitchen, she is also involved in the social scene in Greenwich Village, and befriends politicians, artists and activists, and Paul Wilson with whom she falls in love. The story takes an important turn when she meets with a young lawyer, Federick Delano Roosevelt (also known as FDR). Being part of a male-dominated world, she is willing to fight for a rise in the political arena.

At the heart of the story is the question of how successful women can forge a life balancing work and family. While this novel belongs to the genre of historical fiction, the author raises important questions about how the question of gender inequality and disparity in the workforce continue to remain salient issues. Although there is a sense that in the issue of gender rights at the center. While there is a sense that we have moved forward, it seems to be that gender disparity and inequality remain prominent issues during this time as well, and it’s good to see authors pursuing subjects that are universal and speak to human and civil rights.

#StephanieDray #BecomingMadameSecretary #shnidhi #BerkleyPub #PenguinRandomHouse #BerkleyBuddyReads #BerkleyWritesStrongWomen

This book was amazing!

You can tell if was so absolutely researched and written with love and admiration. Frances Perkins was and is a force to be reckoned with. She truly was such an incredible character and I loved it all so very much.

Frances Perkins, armed with determination and a parasol, navigates the vibrant social and political landscape of early 20th-century New York City. Amid friendships with luminaries like Mary Harriman Rumsey and encounters with Franklin D. Roosevelt, Frances embarks on a historic journey, ultimately becoming FDR's trusted ally in the face of the Great Depression, while grappling with personal sacrifices for the nation's sake.

“If I was too afraid to get off the train, then I wasn’t the right woman for this job. And if I couldn’t do the job, they might never offer a job like this to a woman again.”

This character-driven story was already a page turner, but when I read that quote, it struck me deeply. There are some women who sacrificed greatly for rights we take for granted everyday. As a female pastor/minister in a male dominated profession, I forget that even 100 years ago I likely wouldn’t have been able to do this job. Frances Perkins may have been in a different field, but she paved the way for countless women regardless of career path.

While I was minimally familiar with Franklin D. Rosevelt, I had never even heard of Frances Perkins (not unusual because I grew up in Canada). It was fascinating to get a glimpse of both of their personal lives and political advances together. I had no idea FDR governed with polio. This book is a prime example of why I enjoy historical fiction: you will learn a great deal while empathizing with what they’ve overcome.

Perfect for you if you like:
Compelling narratives of political intrigue and social change
Themes of ambition, sacrifice, and legacy

Similar to:
My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray & Laura Kamoie
Finding Margaret Fuller by Allison Partake (I have not read)
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Becoming Madam Secretary does not have a big plot twist)

⚠️mild TWs in keeping with history

Becoming Madam Secretary is a perfect book to have read during Women's History Month. I had not heard of Frances Perkins before, but I fully enjoyed reading this wonderful story featuring her and her life. While this is a work of historical fiction, most of the characters included were real people in US History.

Dray did a wonderful job of bringing Perkins to life, covering the years leading up when she was named to FDR's cabinet and the years after. The story covers her trials and tribulations, her wins, her fights for labor equality and safe workplaces, and most important, being a vital part of FDR's New Deal, including the Social Security Act.

I did find a few parts that felt long, but I know they were needed to tell the story. As a whole, I really enjoyed Becoming Madam Secretary.

Thank you, Berkley Publishing, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you PRH Audio for the ALC and Berkley #partner, for the advanced e-copy of Becoming Madam Secretary in exchange for my honest review.

This was a much anticipated read not only for March but for this year and it absolutely delivered in every way! Stephanie Dray is quickly becoming a favorite author for historical fiction and while this is only the second book I’ve read by her, I have her backlist on my tbr, ready to read when I get a chance.

I can’t think of a better book to celebrate Women’s History Month than this one. Frances Perkins is someone who we should all know and yet, I feel that this book is really the first time I completely understood who she was and all that she did. Don’t shy away from this one because of the length. Yes, it is 500 pages, but when I tell you I could have read 500 more pages about this woman, I am not joking!

This book takes us from the time Frances comes to New York and not only follows her career, starting in social work and then moving into politics, but we also see a personal side of her too, her marriage, motherhood, and all the friendships that came to have such an impact on her life. I particularly loved how when she first met Franklin Delano Roosevelt, she didn’t particularly like him, but eventually they became quite a pair.

I did an immersive read, where I paired the audiobook, narrated by the brilliant Cassandra Campbell, along with the print book, and there were so many times that I stopped so that I could mark a passage or quote that I wanted to remember or look into further. Yes, it did take longer that way, but I wouldn’t have done it any other way. This is why I love reading historical fiction – I learn so much! The way Stephanie Dray portrays the life of Frances Perkins, she comes alive on the page and I learned more in this book about some of our social and government programs than I did in any government or history classes I took in school. This book covers a big time period – from 1909 to 1963 – and yet it is done so vividly that I found myself completely immersed in the read. And when I was done, I wanted more!

It is quite evident this book is well-researched. I found it to be incredibly readable and I very much appreciated the author’s note at the end where we learn just a little bit more! I can’t wait to find more books on Frances Perkins and I definitely can’t wait to see who Stephanie Dray writes about next!

**Many thanks to Berkley and Stephanie Dray for an ARC of this book provided via NetGalley!**

"Being a woman has only bothered me in climbing trees." - Frances Perkins

It is this frank and fearless nature that sets Frances Perkins apart...and from the moment she arrives in New York City, destined to bring about change, she truly has her work cut out for her. Working with some of the poorest in Hell's Kitchen's tenements, it is apparent that working conditions (and living conditions) are not sustainable for the people of her fair city. She has several compatriots, each with a fire for revolution in their bellies: there's Upton Sinclair, a cheeky young fire-haired writer who longs to be more than just friends with Frances, a wealthy but kind socialite Mary Harriman Rumsey, and a brooding, sensitive young reformer Paul Wilson, each determined to change the landscape in their own way.

But after witnessing the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire firsthand (with workers literally LEAPING out of the burning building to the ground below), Frances knows that labor conditions need change: immediate and DRASTIC change. Though she isn't directly involved in politics herself, Frances gets word that Franklin "Feather Duster" Roosevelt, a rich and haughty man she encountered at a party once (who wasn't exactly her number one fan, to put it mildly!) is running for office...and he might actually WIN. Roosevelt has a plan that will take him up through the ranks, and quickly: a plan that will end with him in the White House. When all of this comes to pass, NO one is more surprised than Frances when FDR not only recognizes Frances' passion for reform and labor policy, but wants to appoint her to be his Secretary of Labor...making her the very FIRST woman in the presidential cabinet.

Although Frances is honored and perhaps more passionate and driven by her work than anyone around her, she is met with pushback and criticism over and over again. Many men assume she can't do her job AND be a wife and mother...and Frances isn't going to let anything stand in her way. But balancing the severe troubles experienced by members of her family...acting as an indomitable force during FDR's tenure...AND fighting for social security and labor reform proves to be nearly overwhelming for Frances, and she starts to wonder if she can TRULY make all of these dreams come true. Will her bold determination start a blaze of glory that will continue on for generations to come...or will everything she has worked for crumble before her very eyes?

I'm a bit ashamed to say that before picking up this book, I probably hadn't heard the name Frances Perkins since elementary school...and since this may have been back in the 2nd or 3rd grade I couldn't have told you a THING about her. After reading this book, it's not only shocking but saddening to me that such an integral part of history was not a MAJOR focus in the curriculum. As someone who is very passionate when it comes to workers' rights (and as a former Union member myself, when I had the opportunity to be in one!) it was easy for me to become VERY invested in Frances' mission as she fought to keep children out of factories, to enforce more limited working hours (No more fourteen hour days...and we think we have it bad now!) and to establish programs like social security which would benefit ALL citizens, not just those born into wealth. Sadly, many of these fights persist today, but they would have been Dead on Arrival PERMANENTLY if not for the tireless work of Frances Perkins. To say this book is enlightening is an understatement: I feel I owe Frances a debt of gratitude!

Dray also does something special with this narrative: this is technically historical fiction, but almost reads more like a diary or a memoir. Perkins takes you through so many years of her life, but the chapters are fairly short and manageable, and there is a solid balance between Perkins' work life and her personal life. There is romance and heartache, inner turmoil and also an exploration of the power of friendship. While Perkins and FDR have a rocky start, the two learn to work in tandem in a truly powerful way, and like all of the relationships explored here, has a complexity and a beauty all its own. Perkins' choices are never easy, and this is the recurring theme underlying her entire career. Being a woman during this time was hard enough in and of itself, but to make some of the 'radical' statements and decisions Perkins was forced to make at times was what set her apart...and I am SO thrilled Dray chose to share this history in such an interesting way.

This book is also 500+ pages (!) which is usually somewhat of a red flag for me when it comes to historical fiction, but this one is written in such a way that it never feels overly long or complex. The chapters move along at a pretty good clip, and as a reader I felt that the only reason the book was this length was to make sure she captured as much detail about Perkins' life as possible: this one is meticulously researched, with Dray highlighting at the end any areas where she took creative liberty, but these are few and far between. There's always a stark difference between authors who TRULY do their research in historical fiction and those that rely on more 'basic' tropes and commonly known information. I applaud Dray's dedication to preserving the integrity of Frances Perkins and EVERYTHING she accomplished during her truly impactful time in office.

And through Dray, by the end of her journey, Perkins makes an observation true of so many bold and brilliant, brave and breathtaking revolutionaries of the past, present, and future: "So maybe a spark of madness is what it takes to accomplish anything truly revolutionary in this world."

One tiny, seemingly insignificant, but POWERFUL spark.

4 stars

This is the first book I've read by Stephanie Dray, and she quickly moved to the top of my list of favorite historical fiction writers.
In addition to learning about the fascinating life led by Francis Perkins, social reformer and all-around powerhouse, Becoming Madam Secretary does an incredible job of humanizing not only her, but those around her. You may recognize a lot of the names, but instead of them being these two-dimensional characters from history, Dray brings them to life. I especially loved the fictionalized scenes where Francis put FDR in his place when he needed it.
This book is particularly relevant not only during International Women's Month, but also in a time when the Social Security system and other social programs (which Perkins was a driving force behind) are under fire.

This is a compelling behind the scenes look at the life of Frances Perkins on her way to becoming the first female presidential cabinet member serving as Secretary of Labor through all four of FDR’s history making terms as president of the United States. A chance meeting of FDR at an afternoon society tea-dance is the turning point in Perkins’ career. Stephanie Dray’s impeccably researched novel keeps the reader’s focus on work-life balance as Frances juggles her burgeoning social and political activities with her family life.
I was enthralled with Frances Perkins’ determination and resolve to bring the horrid, unsafe working conditions in factories to the government’s attention and her tireless work to pass legislation calling for vast improvement in safety conditions and limiting work weeks to fifty-four hours. Dray’s unforgettable details and descriptions of a monumental time in U.S. history include tenements in Hell’s Kitchen, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, the Great Depression, FDR’s rise in the Democratic Party, Women’s Suffrage, and World War 11. I was most impressed with the courage and fortitude shown by Frances Perkins as she forged her place in history as a woman with a brilliant mind who became advisor, and confidant to our 32nd president. Her service to the U. S. is most evident in the New Deal and the Social Security Act which she was instrumental in convincing Congress to implement.
Stephanie Dray’s Becoming Madam Secretary is a terrific force, very much like Frances Perkins and her infamous tricorn hat.

Am I the only one that thinks my high school history classes were seriously lacking? I’m not sure I ever heard of Frances Perkins before picking this one up. And she led a fascinating life. This was the perfect International Women’s Day read. And it was an amazing read.

She helped create social security after being the first woman to serve in a presidential cabinet position. And did I mention she also was also the longest serving secretary of labor? As a woman in a time when women were undervalued in the workplace, she accomplished so much. As her story starts, she isn’t even eligible to vote!!!

Her life is fascinating. I was equally intrigued in her early and personal life as I was with what she achieved in her career. Her life wasn’t easy yet she was such an accomplished woman.

Some of the read was sad as she fought to help eradicate child labor in the US and help those that couldn’t help themselves out of poverty. Her life outside of work wasn’t always easy. The illness that her husband suffered through and the time she spent away from her family for her career left marks.

And learning a little about FDR and his rise to power. I wondered what I had gotten myself into when this 500 page book showed up, but it really was a quick read.

I flipped back and forth between my book and audiobook and Cassandra Campbell did a terrific job narrating this one and bringing Frances to life. She sounded just like I thought Frances would sound and kept me interested in the story.

I recommend this one. Highly!

Quick and Dirty
-historical fiction
-rich in American history
-perfect for Social Work Month
-highly character-driven

What Worked
As a Social Worker (MSW, LCSW) this book was very much up my alley! Reading about a social worker turned politician pursuing progressive social reforms who also happened to be the first female cabinet member was such a joy. I loved learning about Frances Perkins and her relationship with FDR, who relied on her for SO much! The policies and programs she and FDR implemented changed our country, establishing safety net programs that many still depend on today. They laid the foundation for modern progressive politics, and I, for one, am forever grateful for their service. Discovering her as a person and not just a politician was really intriguing and made me wonder what more I could be doing for my community and country. Overall, this was an inspiring read that I very much connected with and enjoyed!

What Didn’t Work
The biggest challenge for me was the pacing of this novel. It was much slower than my typical reads, but the social justice aspects kept me engaged enough to power through! If you aren’t a fan of slower-paced novels this one might not be for you. The author dives deep into the character's motivations, inner thoughts, and rationale for nearly all her choices/actions, which is highly informative but for some might be overkill.

Read This If
If you’re passionate about social justice and progressive politics and enjoy highly character-driven novels this is for you!

Such a good book!! I had no idea who Frances Perkins was, but now I feel indebted to this woman! What a huge difference she made and how hard she had to fight to improve the lives of all Americans. Well written and quite enjoyable.

Thank you @berkleypub & @prhaudio for my complimentary copy. My thoughts are my own.
#penguinrandomhousepartners

I love a good historical fiction novel, but I was actually surprised by how much I enjoyed this one!

When Frances Perkins was sworn is as Secretary of Labor in March of 1933, she became the first woman to serve on a presidential Cabinet. Before she served on FDR’s cabinet, she was quite influential in the New York State government. She worked to implement many policies and programs that are still enforced today. She is known for:

*advocating better working conditions and less working hours per week for women (and children).
*improving fire safety in public places.

She was influential in the Roosevelt administration and lobbied for minimum wage and unemployment insurance for FDR’s New Deal program.

Perkins had many influential friends and was a close friend of the Roosevelts. Her personal life was interesting as she managed to balance her life as a working wife and mother during a time when women in her circles did not work.

The author did a beautiful job weaving details of government policies, social need, and Perkins’s personal life into an enjoyable story. I equally enjoyed both the audio (narrated by Cassandra Campbell) and print versions of this book.

Thanks so much to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group and the author for my gifted physical copy and eARC to read and review!

This book is absolutely riveting, engaging, entertaining and informative. ALL THE THINGS!

I knew very little of Miss Perkins’ story and only slightly remembered that this trailblazing woman in history was “Baby’s” namesake in the movie Dirty Dancing. Remember that? Oh ya!!

Stephanie Dray cleverly and artistically uses historical fiction to re-introduce us to this brave and strong American woman and her story ... and she does it brilliantly! I especially enjoyed reading the author's notes at the end where we get a small glimpse into her creative process and see what facts she chose to intertwine with fiction and why. So fascinating!

This is one of those books I will be thinking about for a long time!

I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Frances Perkins, someone who had a huge impact on history that we should all know more about. She was behind some of the social programs we take for granted these days, like Social Security.

This book beautifully captures why I am drawn to historical fiction. It offers a glimpse into her private life in the context of history without having to strictly adhere to historical accuracy. If this were a non-fiction version of her life, we wouldn’t get what conversations might have taken place and what likely happened without relying on historical fact.

This is a wonderful read for historical fiction lovers and people interested in social reformers and American history.

It’s Women’s History Month, and I’m always game to learn more about strong women who have made a real difference. Although I knew Frances Perkins was the first woman to serve in a presidential cabinet, I didn’t know she had Maine roots! Stephanie Dray’s Becoming Madam Secretary is a fascinating fictional (but based on true events) look at the woman who was one of the chief architects of FDR’s New Deal.

I've read many books, fiction and nonfiction, of the men in FDR's political cabinet. I don't think I ever heard there was a woman in his cabinet....and that's a terrible disservice not only to Frances Perkins but all women who would aspire to cabinet level positions.

The era of FDR was very different than any before or after. A country in turmoil and a world in war made every day an exercise in surviving and prospering. America would move from a country with a brilliant future to a country battling to survive a depression and the ravages of war. Frances Perkins' contributions to the country's return to the industrial age can not be looked over simply because she was a woman. This is an excellent book for any history buffs or those who would teach young women they have a place in history.