Becoming Madam Secretary is a terrific historical novel that brings to life the legacy of Frances Perkins, the first woman to serve in a US Cabinet. Dray captures Frances’s journey from her early days in New York City to her pivotal role in helping the nation navigate the Great Depression.
Arriving in New York at the turn of the century, Frances is determined to make a difference. She immerses herself in social work, tackling the harsh realities of Hell’s Kitchen, where the poor often lived in vermin-infested tenements. Her passion for reform drives her to fight tirelessly for better living and working conditions, marking the beginning of a career that would change American history.
When Frances meets Franklin Delano Roosevelt, she sees him as an arrogant dilettante, while he views her as a priggish do-gooder. Yet, over the next twenty years, they form a historic partnership that carries them both to the White House. Frances becomes FDR’s most trusted lieutenant, implementing groundbreaking social reforms while struggling to balance her public career with the demands of marriage and motherhood.
Dray’s portrayal of Frances Perkins is inspiring and deeply human, weaving in historical details like the Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire and her connections to figures like Sinclair Lewis. (I didn’t know author Laura Ingalls Wilder was related to FDR!) This is an ambitious work, covering a vast span of history with depth and nuance. My hackles rise when accomplished women don’t get their due, and Frances Perkins is certainly one who deserves to be remembered.
Stephanie Dray earns another enthusiastic 5-star rating.
** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy. The opinions are my own.