Frances Perkins is regarded as one of America’s most influential women in the first half of the 20th century. Yet, she sits in the back seat of American history.

In honor of her birthday, the Millis Senior Center will host a portrayal of Miss Perkins titled Meet the Architect of Social Security: Miss Frances Perkins on Wednesday, April 10. Guests will enjoy complimentary birthday cake and coffee, as they learn about the trials, triumphs, and trip-ups that characterize Miss Perkins’ life as FDR’s Secretary of Labor. Secretary Perkins was an architect of the New Deal, and the creator of Social Security.

Guests will soak up stories from this first female cabinet secretary who defied the conventions of her middle-class Worcester upbringing to become a driving force behind today’s laws protecting workers and retirees. They will learn about the list of demands Frances presented to FDR before accepting the appointment; the Depression and her largely unacknowledged contributions to the New Deal; reasons World War 11 nearly demolished her career; attempt to impeach her; and relentless challenges with gender prejudice.

Miss Perkins will talk about her torments as a wife with a mentally ill husband, mother, and woman carving a path through a man’s world. She will disclose her secrets to building alliances and staring down bullies to help make government an ally for working adults, children, and retirees.

Janet Parnes of Historical Portrayals by Lady J, Millis will portray Miss Perkins. (www.women-history.com)

Janet performed Myths & Miracles of Victorian Medicine at the Millis Senior Center in 2023. 

Meet the Architect of Social Security: Miss Frances Perkins will run from 11-noon on Wednesday, April 10. It will take place at the Millis Senior Center, Veterans Memorial Bldg. Lower Level, 900 Main St. Millis.

The event is free of charge and open to all senior citizens,

Registration is required. To register, call the Millis Senior Center at 508-376-7051.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Millis Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.