Biden to Honor First Female Cabinet Secretary Frances Perkins with National Monument in Maine

Dec 16, 2024, 02:49 PM

President Joe Biden is set to sign a proclamation on Monday to establish the Frances Perkins National Monument in Newcastle, Maine. This monument will honor Frances Perkins, the first woman to serve in a U.S. presidential Cabinet and a pivotal figure in the New Deal era under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Perkins, who served as Labor Secretary for 12 years, played a crucial role in shaping key labor laws including the Social Security Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the National Labor Relations Act. The monument will be located on her family homestead, managed by the National Park Service. The signing ceremony will be attended by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, acting Labor Secretary Julie Su, and other Cabinet members, along with labor and women's rights leaders. This move is part of Biden's efforts to enhance his legacy as an advocate for women's and labor rights, with less than five weeks remaining in his presidency.