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Dear Miss Perkins: A Story of Frances Perkins's Efforts to Aid Refugees from Nazi Germany
This outstanding, inspiring new narrative of the first woman to serve in a president’s cabinet, reveals the full, never-before-told story of her role in saving Jewish refugees during the Nazi regime.
She was the first woman to serve in a presidential cabinet, the longest-serving labor secretary, and an architect of the New Deal. Yet beyond these celebrated accomplishments there is another dimension to Frances Perkins’s story. Without fanfare, and despite powerful opposition, Perkins helped save the lives of countless Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi Germany.
“Immigration problems usually have to be decided in a few days. They involve human lives. There can be no delaying,” Perkins wrote in her memoir, The Roosevelt I Knew. In March 1933, at the height of the Great Depression, Perkins was appointed Secretary of Labor by FDR. As Hitler rose to power, thousands of German-Jewish refugees and their loved ones reached out to the INS—then part of the Labor Department—applying for immigration to the United States, writing letters that began “Dear Miss Perkins . . .”
Perkins’s early experiences working in Chicago’s famed Hull House, and as a firsthand witness to the horrific Triangle Shirtwaist fire, shaped her determination to advocate for immigrants and refugees. As Secretary of Labor, she wrestled widespread antisemitism and isolationism, finding creative ways to work around quotas and restrictive immigration laws. Diligent, resilient, empathetic, yet steadfast, she persisted on behalf of the desperate when others refused to act.
Based on extensive research, including thousands of letters housed in the National Archives, Dear Miss Perkins adds new dimension to an already extraordinary life story, revealing at last how one woman tried to steer the nation to a better, more righteous course.
She was the first woman to serve in a presidential cabinet, the longest-serving labor secretary, and an architect of the New Deal. Yet beyond these celebrated accomplishments there is another dimension to Frances Perkins’s story. Without fanfare, and despite powerful opposition, Perkins helped save the lives of countless Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi Germany.
“Immigration problems usually have to be decided in a few days. They involve human lives. There can be no delaying,” Perkins wrote in her memoir, The Roosevelt I Knew. In March 1933, at the height of the Great Depression, Perkins was appointed Secretary of Labor by FDR. As Hitler rose to power, thousands of German-Jewish refugees and their loved ones reached out to the INS—then part of the Labor Department—applying for immigration to the United States, writing letters that began “Dear Miss Perkins . . .”
Perkins’s early experiences working in Chicago’s famed Hull House, and as a firsthand witness to the horrific Triangle Shirtwaist fire, shaped her determination to advocate for immigrants and refugees. As Secretary of Labor, she wrestled widespread antisemitism and isolationism, finding creative ways to work around quotas and restrictive immigration laws. Diligent, resilient, empathetic, yet steadfast, she persisted on behalf of the desperate when others refused to act.
Based on extensive research, including thousands of letters housed in the National Archives, Dear Miss Perkins adds new dimension to an already extraordinary life story, revealing at last how one woman tried to steer the nation to a better, more righteous course.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 21, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
April 22, 2025
I wrote it 🙈
November 21, 2024
I don't envy authors who have to tackle a notoriously distant character from history. Very often these people leave almost no trace of their real emotions and an author is left to piece together a cohesive narrative from little true insights. Rebecca Brenner Graham has her hands full with her book Dear Miss Perkins. The book tells the story of Frances Perkins who is the first female cabinet secretary and the longest serving Labor Secretary ever. She was instrumental in many things but Graham is focusing on her efforts to save Jewish children from Nazi Germany.
The problem with this story is the subject. Perkins is a sphinx much like her boss, FDR. Literature on Perkins mainly portrays her as smart, hard working, and principled but definitely not warm and cuddly. I need to give credit where it is due and Graham pulls out all the stops to make this narrative feel alive. Graham quotes and references contemporary media (including Adam Sandler of all people!) to give the reader a jolt of personality. Unfortunately, I am not sure it was possible to turn Perkins into the hero of a story. She often ruled behind the scenes and it leaves Graham explaining too many things around Perkins as opposed to about Perkins. Five stars to Graham for effort, but unfortunately three stars for the story.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by the publisher.)
The problem with this story is the subject. Perkins is a sphinx much like her boss, FDR. Literature on Perkins mainly portrays her as smart, hard working, and principled but definitely not warm and cuddly. I need to give credit where it is due and Graham pulls out all the stops to make this narrative feel alive. Graham quotes and references contemporary media (including Adam Sandler of all people!) to give the reader a jolt of personality. Unfortunately, I am not sure it was possible to turn Perkins into the hero of a story. She often ruled behind the scenes and it leaves Graham explaining too many things around Perkins as opposed to about Perkins. Five stars to Graham for effort, but unfortunately three stars for the story.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by the publisher.)
December 11, 2024
'Through a combination of relaxing visa requirements, reducing deportation numbers, devising the corporate affidavit for businesses to finance refugees, and collaborating with the German-Jewish Children's Aid Inc...Perkins contributed to saving the lives of tens of thousands of refugees from Nazism'.
I love learning about phenomenal women who've been overlooked and often obscured by history. Frances Perkins was always drawn to social injustice and at the turn of the 20th Century, particularly in the wake of WW1, there was plenty. Such was her determination and success, FDR appointed her as his Secretary of Labor in 1933 - where she remained for the next 12 years. Undeterred by her gender, nor the increasing pervasiveness of xenophobia and restrictive immigration laws during the Great Depression, Perkins was able to use her position to specifically help Jews flee Nazism and come to the US or, indeed, continue to stay in America without the fear of deportation. All of this she seemed to do with a pragmatism that didn't call for fanfare. Indeed, the scope of her efforts have taken time to truly come to the fore.
Rebecca Graham has gone very wide with her research, detailing a plethora of contextual, background information, to highlight just how high the barriers to her achievements were. I would have loved to have had more biographical information on Perkins, to try and better understand what drove her and how she coped working in a 'man's world'. Irrespective, it is apparent that she passionately believed in social change, humanity and justice, and was not afraid to go after it.
Non-fiction readers who are keen to understand more about immigration policies and the quagmire of politics during this tumultuous time, will appreciate the amount of research covered in this book.
I love learning about phenomenal women who've been overlooked and often obscured by history. Frances Perkins was always drawn to social injustice and at the turn of the 20th Century, particularly in the wake of WW1, there was plenty. Such was her determination and success, FDR appointed her as his Secretary of Labor in 1933 - where she remained for the next 12 years. Undeterred by her gender, nor the increasing pervasiveness of xenophobia and restrictive immigration laws during the Great Depression, Perkins was able to use her position to specifically help Jews flee Nazism and come to the US or, indeed, continue to stay in America without the fear of deportation. All of this she seemed to do with a pragmatism that didn't call for fanfare. Indeed, the scope of her efforts have taken time to truly come to the fore.
Rebecca Graham has gone very wide with her research, detailing a plethora of contextual, background information, to highlight just how high the barriers to her achievements were. I would have loved to have had more biographical information on Perkins, to try and better understand what drove her and how she coped working in a 'man's world'. Irrespective, it is apparent that she passionately believed in social change, humanity and justice, and was not afraid to go after it.
Non-fiction readers who are keen to understand more about immigration policies and the quagmire of politics during this tumultuous time, will appreciate the amount of research covered in this book.
September 22, 2025
Rebecca Brenner Graham shows yet another way that Frances Perkins changed not only our American lives (she's why you have an 8 hour work day, a weekend, have social security, and have workplace safety rules - you should be thinking of her every Labor Day!), but also on the brink of WWII saved the lives of tens of thousands of German-Jewish refugees. It was not an easy win, and there was resistance from her competing governmental co-workers. There's more than one way to get around bureacracy - although it took time. The INS (Immigration and Naturalization Services) was under her purview as head of the Department of Labor, from her continuing recommendations starting in 1933 to extend tourist visas of those who were in the US, it took the horrors of Kristallnacht on 11.09.1938 to shake up the US to realizing Nazism was a global problem.
With all of Frances Perkins' preparatory work in place, Pres. Franklin D Roosevelt extended those visas 9 days later - thousands of German-Jews would not have to go back to face certain death on their return to Germany.
Frances Perkins: She's a hero to Americans, and Rebecca Brenner Graham persuasively presents the case that she helped others live longer better lives for her having been in this world.
*A sincere thank you to Rebecca Brenner Graham, Kensington Publishing | Citadel, Tantor Audio | Tantor Media, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #DearMissPerkins #NetGalley 25|52:43h
With all of Frances Perkins' preparatory work in place, Pres. Franklin D Roosevelt extended those visas 9 days later - thousands of German-Jews would not have to go back to face certain death on their return to Germany.
Frances Perkins: She's a hero to Americans, and Rebecca Brenner Graham persuasively presents the case that she helped others live longer better lives for her having been in this world.
*A sincere thank you to Rebecca Brenner Graham, Kensington Publishing | Citadel, Tantor Audio | Tantor Media, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #DearMissPerkins #NetGalley 25|52:43h
November 21, 2024
Could the U. S. be a refuge to oppressed people? Did it want to be? Could it overcome its own prejudices to be the “golden door?” from Dear Miss Perkins by Rebecca Brenner Graham
American has a long history of anti-immigration, xenophobic, and racist sentiment. And yet I grew up with the myth of the American Melting Pot. This myth ignores cultural and religious differences, the legacy of slavery and the massacre of Indigenous people, exclusion laws against the Chinese and East Europeans suspected of being anarchists. And, the ingrained antisemitism that simmers away until it raises its ugly head at regular intervals. MAGA nationalism is in the ascendent, rejecting the “nation of immigrants” story, accusing refugees from south of be border as threats to society. We seem to love an ‘other’ to hate and fear.
Perkins said that volunteering at Hull House she knew that “social justice would be my vocation.” After her graduate studies she served on the New York State Industrial Commission and served on FDR’s gubernatorial cabinet, and he brought her with him when he was elected president as Labor Secretary—the first woman on a presidential cabinet.
Perkins came into office at a time when there were strict quotas and refugees were not a separate category of immigrants. It was a time when white Christian nationalism prevailed, and pseudoscience supported racism, and American policies including Jim Crow and removal of Indigenous populations inspired Hitler.
Perkins was appalled by the persecution of Jews under Hitler. With dedication and grit, with public sentiment in opposition, she managed to fund child refugees and provide foster homes. She extended visitor visas of German-Jewish refugees in America. She saved the lives of thousands fleeing Nazism.
Perkins faced impeachment for treason; anti-Communists accused her of not deporting an immigrant labor organizer. Perkins prevailed by affirmed her patriotism and noted that the Secretary of Labor had no power to deport aliens whose actions were unpopular.
Graham includes letters written to ‘Dear Miss Perkins’, including hate letters, and shares the stories of people she saved, including Bert Brecht. The immigration story of the Trapp Family Singers is an example of the preferred, white Christian, immigrant.
The idea of creating a German-Jewish settlement in the territory of Alaska was supported by Perkins; I first heard about the idea in Michael Chabon’s novel The Yiddish Policemen’s Union which imagines a Jewish settler colony in Alaska.
Graham continues with examples of the changing immigrant narrative, including Anne Frank’s diary, Elie Wiesel’s Night, and the novels and movies of Leon Uris’s Exodus and Schindler’s List.
The 1965 act signed by President Johnson swelled the number of immigrants. Most recently, as president Trump dropped the phrase “a nation of immigrants” from the U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services mission statement and in his second term promises mass deportation.
Perkins’s idealism is presented in context within the greater story of America’s shifting attitude towards refugees and immigrants.
Thanks to the publisher for a free book through NetGalley.
American has a long history of anti-immigration, xenophobic, and racist sentiment. And yet I grew up with the myth of the American Melting Pot. This myth ignores cultural and religious differences, the legacy of slavery and the massacre of Indigenous people, exclusion laws against the Chinese and East Europeans suspected of being anarchists. And, the ingrained antisemitism that simmers away until it raises its ugly head at regular intervals. MAGA nationalism is in the ascendent, rejecting the “nation of immigrants” story, accusing refugees from south of be border as threats to society. We seem to love an ‘other’ to hate and fear.
Perkins said that volunteering at Hull House she knew that “social justice would be my vocation.” After her graduate studies she served on the New York State Industrial Commission and served on FDR’s gubernatorial cabinet, and he brought her with him when he was elected president as Labor Secretary—the first woman on a presidential cabinet.
Perkins came into office at a time when there were strict quotas and refugees were not a separate category of immigrants. It was a time when white Christian nationalism prevailed, and pseudoscience supported racism, and American policies including Jim Crow and removal of Indigenous populations inspired Hitler.
Perkins was appalled by the persecution of Jews under Hitler. With dedication and grit, with public sentiment in opposition, she managed to fund child refugees and provide foster homes. She extended visitor visas of German-Jewish refugees in America. She saved the lives of thousands fleeing Nazism.
Perkins faced impeachment for treason; anti-Communists accused her of not deporting an immigrant labor organizer. Perkins prevailed by affirmed her patriotism and noted that the Secretary of Labor had no power to deport aliens whose actions were unpopular.
Graham includes letters written to ‘Dear Miss Perkins’, including hate letters, and shares the stories of people she saved, including Bert Brecht. The immigration story of the Trapp Family Singers is an example of the preferred, white Christian, immigrant.
The idea of creating a German-Jewish settlement in the territory of Alaska was supported by Perkins; I first heard about the idea in Michael Chabon’s novel The Yiddish Policemen’s Union which imagines a Jewish settler colony in Alaska.
Graham continues with examples of the changing immigrant narrative, including Anne Frank’s diary, Elie Wiesel’s Night, and the novels and movies of Leon Uris’s Exodus and Schindler’s List.
The 1965 act signed by President Johnson swelled the number of immigrants. Most recently, as president Trump dropped the phrase “a nation of immigrants” from the U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services mission statement and in his second term promises mass deportation.
Perkins’s idealism is presented in context within the greater story of America’s shifting attitude towards refugees and immigrants.
Thanks to the publisher for a free book through NetGalley.
December 12, 2025
I’d like to think the battles Frances Perkins fought against bigotry and xenophobia are far behind us but as many of us know, that is not true.
The subtitle of this biography describes it as ‘A Story of Frances Perkins’s Efforts to Aid Refugees from Nazi Germany’, but it’s also the story of the first female member of a presidential cabinet and the work she did to broaden American worker’s rights. The minimum wage, the banning of child labor, Social Security, and more, are all results of her efforts. I could go on about what I learned from this book, although I couldn’t do it with the clarity and attention to detail the author brings to it. My thanks to Goodreads Giveaways and the publisher for a copy to review. 4.5 stars
January 22, 2025
I enjoyed every moment of reading this book about Francis Perkins, the first female secretary of Labor throughout Roosevelt’s 3 terms. From 1933 to 1941, the Labor Department was responsible for Immigration and Naturalization, and rightly so according to Perkins. In 1941, the INS was transferred to the Department of Justice, and out of the responsibility of Perkins.
In her time handling INS, the author shows us how she tried her best to save European Jews facing the growing threats of the Nazis.
Perkins purposely stayed away/ shied away from publicity so her work has remained “obscure” for a long time. Rebecca Brenner Graham has put together the quintessential Frances Perkins compedium that is at the same time, SO readable!
Thank you netgalley for my book in return for my review. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In her time handling INS, the author shows us how she tried her best to save European Jews facing the growing threats of the Nazis.
Perkins purposely stayed away/ shied away from publicity so her work has remained “obscure” for a long time. Rebecca Brenner Graham has put together the quintessential Frances Perkins compedium that is at the same time, SO readable!
Thank you netgalley for my book in return for my review. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 26, 2025
An interesting subject that I really knew nothing about, so in that respect it may rank higher than three stars. However, I found it a bit repetitive in many places and kept thinking it would make an excellent long magazine article.
January 28, 2025
I admire Frances Perkins (a public figure who carefully guarded her personal life) and anyone who strives to tell her story well. A progressive and a bureaucrat, Perkins was an imperfect person who was deeply affected by the many things in life that were beyond her control. In many ways, her life story feels a bit improbable, which makes her critical interventions in labor and immigration policy all the more worthy of our attention. During a harrowing time in world history, Perkins found ways to leverage her privilege and her position as Secretary of Labor to make a real difference. Yet her "firstness" and role in FDR's cabinet is sometimes reduced to a "quirky fun fact." Rebecca Brenner Graham dives into a lesser-known aspect of Perkins's work with this timely and important book. As Graham illustrates, Perkins was not a superhero, she was a worker—and in many instances, an admirable one at that.
January 1, 2025
Frances Perkins is a fascinating, overlooked character in American history. While most people would be familiar with her as the country’s first woman Cabinet secretary and her lasting impact on the U.S. through FDR’s New Deal agenda, very few know about her efforts to save refugees fleeing from Nazi Germany. In the face of horrors abroad and against the headwinds of American xenophobia, Perkins worked to help as many people as she could — to the detriment of her own political capital.
Rebecca Brenner Graham thoughtfully and thoroughly tells Perkins��s story. Leveraging extensive archival research, Dr. Graham weaves together a compelling narrative exploring an underreported slice of Perkins’s efforts with modern details about how parts of this story continue to influence how we remember history. (bonus points for some very funny present-day details throughout)
I enjoyed reading every page — and I truly think you will too.
Rebecca Brenner Graham thoughtfully and thoroughly tells Perkins��s story. Leveraging extensive archival research, Dr. Graham weaves together a compelling narrative exploring an underreported slice of Perkins’s efforts with modern details about how parts of this story continue to influence how we remember history. (bonus points for some very funny present-day details throughout)
I enjoyed reading every page — and I truly think you will too.
March 17, 2025
Frances Perkins has finally been getting her due in the last 20 years or so. The latest addition to scholarship about the first woman named to a post in the U.S. Cabinet is this book which focuses on one important aspect of Perkins' tenure: her efforts to rescue Jews from Nazi Germany before World War II. One storyline often told in the past was that America was simply unaware of the atrocities, murder and pain inflicted on European Jews. Bunk is a polite word for that theory. Brenner Graham makes it clear that there was a streak of antisemitism within the State Department and simply no interest in helping Jews who were desperate to escape. Even though immigration fell under the control of the Labor Department which Perkins led, she was thwarted time and again by Congress, the State Department and other actors in her efforts.
There is a particularly poignant chapter that provides the book with its title. In it, Brenner Graham shares letters that Perkins received from friends and family members asking for help in rescuing their trapped loved ones.
Another interesting side chapter doesn't involve fleeing Jews, but has appeal to many readers. That is the account of the escape of the von Trapp family of Sound of Music fame. The real story may be less dramatic than the tale portrayed in the film, but it is still an adventure.
This is not a full biography of Frances Perkins. It does touch on her early life and many accomplishments within the Roosevelt administration. But the focus is on an aspect of her life that was so crucial and an excellent example of Perkins' character.
There is a particularly poignant chapter that provides the book with its title. In it, Brenner Graham shares letters that Perkins received from friends and family members asking for help in rescuing their trapped loved ones.
Another interesting side chapter doesn't involve fleeing Jews, but has appeal to many readers. That is the account of the escape of the von Trapp family of Sound of Music fame. The real story may be less dramatic than the tale portrayed in the film, but it is still an adventure.
This is not a full biography of Frances Perkins. It does touch on her early life and many accomplishments within the Roosevelt administration. But the focus is on an aspect of her life that was so crucial and an excellent example of Perkins' character.
February 9, 2025
We need to recognize and honor Frances Perkins, especially now when her legacy is not just in danger of being forgotten, but under attack. I wish the author had spent less time on Perkins’ early years which are well covered in her biographies, but definitely a strong addition to what’s been written about this trailblazing American.
August 28, 2024
This excellent new book is a welcome addition to the literature on Frances Perkins, an under-recognized figure of American history. Author Rebecca Brenner Graham goes beyond previously published scholarship to reveal the behind-the-scenes workings of how public policy is made and how one individual dedicated her life to shaping government actions on behalf of the common good. With clear story telling and helpful references to popular culture, the author puts the Perkins legacy in context for readers who may not be familiar with 20th century history. Evidencing her painstaking research into the letters, speeches and writings of a public official who guarded her privacy but left no diary, the author explains the multiple efforts Perkins made to save the lives of Jewish and other refugees and details the successes and frustrations she faced as she persevered. Dear Miss Perkins while amply footnoted with references to its sources, is compelling and accessible enough to appeal to general readers and high school students alike. Rebecca Brenner Graham began her research for the book as an undergraduate and intern at the Frances Perkins Center on whose board I serve. We are delighted that she continued to pursue this project through her graduate studies and as a teacher, and pleased that this vital part of the Perkins legacy is receiving the attention it deserves.
March 10, 2025
80 years after the first female cabinet member took office, it is hard to believe that society does not know her name. In a continuous fight for refugee support, society should look to Frances Perkins as an example of how to fight. Dear Miss Perkins is written eloquently, in a way which motivates women to leave the shadows of the corners and embrace fighting for a better future. This inspiring story focuses on Miss Perkins's career and treats her as a professional rather than as a mother or wife with a career. This book is a must-read for all, a true page-turner.
You can expect to read a sample of letters on behalf of refugees to Miss Perkins, desperate for help, and the work she did to bring German-Jewish refugee children to the U.S. In Dear Miss Perkins, you will learn the history of legislation she spearheaded to save refugees. Dr. Graham invites you to explore Perkins as a pillar behind the Alaska Plan and the Wagner-Rogers bill. Dear Miss Perkins, thank you for your efforts to save the Jewish people.
April 3, 2025
A book in exchange for a review? Let's go!!
Information: 4.5/5 stars
Writing: 3/5 stars
A lot of the information about Frances Perkins was brand new to me, so I really enjoyed learning about her!! She was a fascinating lady with her heart in the right place, doing everything in her power to do what she thought was right. I find a lot of inspiration in that, as that is all I aspire to be, and all I hope for in others.
Even the supplemental information was new and shocking. I did not know that Anne Frank's family went through the proper channels to try and immigrate to America to flee. That adds another layer of heartbreak to her story. I also didn't know that MANY people tried to flee from the Nazis to America, but there were quotas in place to prevent their entry. Words cannot describe the heartbreak attached to that. Knowing that the USA could have been a pivotal player in WWII and been a refuge for the oppressed, but chose not to be because of widespread anti-semitic views and the ever tired hatred for immigrants in general. I'm so so tired of seeing this in the news on the daily that reading it in our history is just the thing to ruin any hope you have. Graham also went over the lies and propaganda about America being a "melting pot" and a "nation of immigrants". I've heard those things over and over, even though I was born after the peak of this, but reading about how that has never been the case in the views of the American people is... I can't think of another word besides disheartening, even though it doesn't come close to emotion behind it.
Yes, I loved the information and it is so important to learn. It's hard to see the point by point parallels to today's regime, but that isn't new information. We've known this. Seeing the smaller points leading to the big ones and seeing those parallels is different than knowing it as a fact. And I'm glad to see that.
My only complaint is the writing style. The information was fascinating, but the writing style was very dry and made for rough reading. I admit, I have a hard time with academic writing, but I can do it. And while I was able to read this fairly quickly, it didn't feel like it. At 280 pages, I expected it to take only a couple days, but even with consistently setting aside time to read this it felt like it took so much longer. The information could have used a touch up to help with overall readability.
tl;dr
I loved the information, even if it was hard to hear at times. There was information that was new to me that helped my understanding of not only Perkins, but the US's involvement in WWII. The writing style was dry and not engaging, which made the information harder to focus on/absorb.
Information: 4.5/5 stars
Writing: 3/5 stars
A lot of the information about Frances Perkins was brand new to me, so I really enjoyed learning about her!! She was a fascinating lady with her heart in the right place, doing everything in her power to do what she thought was right. I find a lot of inspiration in that, as that is all I aspire to be, and all I hope for in others.
Even the supplemental information was new and shocking. I did not know that Anne Frank's family went through the proper channels to try and immigrate to America to flee. That adds another layer of heartbreak to her story. I also didn't know that MANY people tried to flee from the Nazis to America, but there were quotas in place to prevent their entry. Words cannot describe the heartbreak attached to that. Knowing that the USA could have been a pivotal player in WWII and been a refuge for the oppressed, but chose not to be because of widespread anti-semitic views and the ever tired hatred for immigrants in general. I'm so so tired of seeing this in the news on the daily that reading it in our history is just the thing to ruin any hope you have. Graham also went over the lies and propaganda about America being a "melting pot" and a "nation of immigrants". I've heard those things over and over, even though I was born after the peak of this, but reading about how that has never been the case in the views of the American people is... I can't think of another word besides disheartening, even though it doesn't come close to emotion behind it.
Yes, I loved the information and it is so important to learn. It's hard to see the point by point parallels to today's regime, but that isn't new information. We've known this. Seeing the smaller points leading to the big ones and seeing those parallels is different than knowing it as a fact. And I'm glad to see that.
My only complaint is the writing style. The information was fascinating, but the writing style was very dry and made for rough reading. I admit, I have a hard time with academic writing, but I can do it. And while I was able to read this fairly quickly, it didn't feel like it. At 280 pages, I expected it to take only a couple days, but even with consistently setting aside time to read this it felt like it took so much longer. The information could have used a touch up to help with overall readability.
tl;dr
I loved the information, even if it was hard to hear at times. There was information that was new to me that helped my understanding of not only Perkins, but the US's involvement in WWII. The writing style was dry and not engaging, which made the information harder to focus on/absorb.
January 27, 2026
I think the timing of my reading of this book was everything. I read it the weekend of Alex Pretti’s death in Minneapolis and how our leaders spun the events and responsibilities of ICE agents. There are still so many parallels in ideology it is sad and angering.
This book showed how Frances Perkins as Secretary of Labor was able to interpret and implement different ways of enforcing INS policies. She did them in a totally more humane way than the previous administration under Hoover. She worked with other members of the Cabinet to assist German-Jewish refugees in all the ways she could under the law. So many times antisemitism views deterred implementation of policies or passage of legislation that would have helped thousands. Graham states that many members of Congress were not concerned about the rights of non-citizens, and it struck me that not much has changed since the 1930s.
FDR transferred INS from Labor to Justice in 1940, taking away from Perkins the possibility of helping future refugees trying to escape Nazism. This changed immigration from civil to criminal. But the time Perkins did control implementation of INS policies, she did it with compassion and empathy. She used administrative ways to rid the department of those stuck in the deportation mentality, she got FDR to use his executive order to extend visas for German-Jewish refugees in the U.S., and she helped get German-Jewish children here prior to 1940. She made entry into Ellis Island more humane and hired top INS officials who held her beliefs who in turn helped thousands of immigrants from 1933-1940.
I also enjoyed learning about the different ways Americans have learned about the Holocaust and the public memory of how we remember the history of WWII and Jews. It was a good addition to the book.
Grateful that Graham researched and wrote this book on Perkins and her little known work that adds to the historiography of immigration, war refugees, Jewish, FDR, and women’s history among others.
This book showed how Frances Perkins as Secretary of Labor was able to interpret and implement different ways of enforcing INS policies. She did them in a totally more humane way than the previous administration under Hoover. She worked with other members of the Cabinet to assist German-Jewish refugees in all the ways she could under the law. So many times antisemitism views deterred implementation of policies or passage of legislation that would have helped thousands. Graham states that many members of Congress were not concerned about the rights of non-citizens, and it struck me that not much has changed since the 1930s.
FDR transferred INS from Labor to Justice in 1940, taking away from Perkins the possibility of helping future refugees trying to escape Nazism. This changed immigration from civil to criminal. But the time Perkins did control implementation of INS policies, she did it with compassion and empathy. She used administrative ways to rid the department of those stuck in the deportation mentality, she got FDR to use his executive order to extend visas for German-Jewish refugees in the U.S., and she helped get German-Jewish children here prior to 1940. She made entry into Ellis Island more humane and hired top INS officials who held her beliefs who in turn helped thousands of immigrants from 1933-1940.
I also enjoyed learning about the different ways Americans have learned about the Holocaust and the public memory of how we remember the history of WWII and Jews. It was a good addition to the book.
Grateful that Graham researched and wrote this book on Perkins and her little known work that adds to the historiography of immigration, war refugees, Jewish, FDR, and women’s history among others.
December 24, 2024
For this and other bookish content, visit www.bargain-sleuth.com
Thanks to Edelweiss and Citadel Press for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Frances Perkins is not a name bandied about a lot by historians despite the fact that she was the first female presidential cabinet member. This was back in 1932, just over a decade after women finally got the right to vote. Not only was she the first cabinet secretary, she served so honorably for twelve years. I’ve read a lot about Franklin Roosevelt and his presidency, and a few historians in recent years have gotten the narrative right. Frances Perkins fought for many of the social programs that exist today at the federal level.
What I did not know until reading this book is that the immigration department was under the Labor Department until Frances Perkins started making noise about the Jewish refugees who needed somewhere to go because of Nazi oppression, and later, concentration camps. You see, in the 1920s, quotas were put upon immigrants, and it was like that for decades. Only certain numbers of people were allowed into the United States, and it all depended upon what country you were from. Frances Perkins fought to have the rules changed due to the dire straits Jews across Europe were facing in the 1930s.
Many people wrote to Frances Perkins for help with their immigration status, and she answered every letter that was sent to her. Some of these letters are excerpted for the book. When one particular immigrant from Australia, who had been in the United States for several years, started a strike for workers where he was employed, eyes rested on Perkins and her job because she oversaw immigration. Congress tried to impeach her, imagine that. Soon after, the immigration department was moved from Labor to Justice, you know, the crime department. Such is the way of this racist, xenophobic nation.
Despite having immigration taken away from under her purview, Perkins would occasionally stick her hands into trying to help people who were trying to immigrate to the United States. One such family was the Von Trapps. Yes, THOSE Von Trapps, of The Sound of Music fame.
The end of the book kind of meandered after that, rather than focusing on Perkins but rather on how Americans felt about and how they viewed the history of the holocaust. It was still interesting but had little to do with Frances Perkins herself. Still a solid 4-star read.
Thanks to Edelweiss and Citadel Press for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Frances Perkins is not a name bandied about a lot by historians despite the fact that she was the first female presidential cabinet member. This was back in 1932, just over a decade after women finally got the right to vote. Not only was she the first cabinet secretary, she served so honorably for twelve years. I’ve read a lot about Franklin Roosevelt and his presidency, and a few historians in recent years have gotten the narrative right. Frances Perkins fought for many of the social programs that exist today at the federal level.
What I did not know until reading this book is that the immigration department was under the Labor Department until Frances Perkins started making noise about the Jewish refugees who needed somewhere to go because of Nazi oppression, and later, concentration camps. You see, in the 1920s, quotas were put upon immigrants, and it was like that for decades. Only certain numbers of people were allowed into the United States, and it all depended upon what country you were from. Frances Perkins fought to have the rules changed due to the dire straits Jews across Europe were facing in the 1930s.
Many people wrote to Frances Perkins for help with their immigration status, and she answered every letter that was sent to her. Some of these letters are excerpted for the book. When one particular immigrant from Australia, who had been in the United States for several years, started a strike for workers where he was employed, eyes rested on Perkins and her job because she oversaw immigration. Congress tried to impeach her, imagine that. Soon after, the immigration department was moved from Labor to Justice, you know, the crime department. Such is the way of this racist, xenophobic nation.
Despite having immigration taken away from under her purview, Perkins would occasionally stick her hands into trying to help people who were trying to immigrate to the United States. One such family was the Von Trapps. Yes, THOSE Von Trapps, of The Sound of Music fame.
The end of the book kind of meandered after that, rather than focusing on Perkins but rather on how Americans felt about and how they viewed the history of the holocaust. It was still interesting but had little to do with Frances Perkins herself. Still a solid 4-star read.
March 23, 2025
‘Becoming Madame Secretary’ is the 2nd best book I’ve ever read (highly recommend) so I was interested to follow that up with this “story of Frances Perkins’s efforts to aid refugees from Nazi Germany”.
‘Becoming..’ was a little light on this subject and I wanted to learn more about the fascinating Frances.
The author’s senior undergrad thesis was about this topic. While she intended to make her very different PhD thesis topic her academic monograph, she kept being pulled back to her interest in this part of Frances Perkins’s work and decided to write this book.
It may be a bit of a dry read but did you know that Frances’ work included helping the real-life Von Trapp family from ‘The Sound of Music’ get visas to the U.S. for singing engagements so that they could escape Nazi-occupied Austria? Cool stuff for us nerds.
‘Becoming..’ was a little light on this subject and I wanted to learn more about the fascinating Frances.
The author’s senior undergrad thesis was about this topic. While she intended to make her very different PhD thesis topic her academic monograph, she kept being pulled back to her interest in this part of Frances Perkins’s work and decided to write this book.
It may be a bit of a dry read but did you know that Frances’ work included helping the real-life Von Trapp family from ‘The Sound of Music’ get visas to the U.S. for singing engagements so that they could escape Nazi-occupied Austria? Cool stuff for us nerds.
May 24, 2025
The author presents a fascinating portrayal of Francis Perkins’ attempts to change immigration policy during the Holocaust in order to save those fleeing Nazi Germany post-Kristalnacht. I was really impressed by the various ways Perkins tried to leverage her position and existing laws to bypass the immigration quotas that were the law at that time. It was also interesting how her influence was derailed by impeachment attempts that detracted from her important work.
I highly recommend this book for several reasons. Francis Perkins, as the first woman on a Presidential Cabinet, was an inspirational agent of change. She attempted to leverage her resources and position to save lives in several creative ways despite the roadblocks—which is an example of great leadership. Francis Perkins has been greatly overlooked by historians but her leadership during the FDR years can still provide an example of what an intelligent and creative woman can accomplish.
I highly recommend this book for several reasons. Francis Perkins, as the first woman on a Presidential Cabinet, was an inspirational agent of change. She attempted to leverage her resources and position to save lives in several creative ways despite the roadblocks—which is an example of great leadership. Francis Perkins has been greatly overlooked by historians but her leadership during the FDR years can still provide an example of what an intelligent and creative woman can accomplish.
April 26, 2025
Who was Frances Perkins? She was notably the First female cabinet secretary in the US who used her intellect and compassion to save thousands of refugee children from Nazi Germany and yet she ends up labeled as an enemy and faced an impeachment attempt!! This parallels so much of what is currently going on in this country today that it makes my stomach churn. If only we could learn from the mistakes of the past 😢
The fact that there are archives with all the hate mall
Perkins received is crazy! Same old same old rhetoric filled with bigotry , xenophobia, racism, misogyny and plenty of grammatical and spelling errors ! Reminded me of the wildly unfounded attacks on Barack Obama’s character, nationality and allegiance . I wonder if his hate mail will be archived someday ….
The fact that there are archives with all the hate mall
Perkins received is crazy! Same old same old rhetoric filled with bigotry , xenophobia, racism, misogyny and plenty of grammatical and spelling errors ! Reminded me of the wildly unfounded attacks on Barack Obama’s character, nationality and allegiance . I wonder if his hate mail will be archived someday ….
March 13, 2025
Remarkable book. Four stars not five only because so much of the book didn’t mention Perkins at all. The title leads us to believe it will be all about Perkins’ efforts on behalf of refugees. However, to understand what Perkins was able to accomplish (and perhaps more importantly what she didn’t accomplish) a solid understanding of immigration, xenophobia, quotas, antisemitism and “the myth of a nation of immigrants” is needed. The author does a wonderful job of explaining the framework in which Perkins struggled.
The read is also worth it just for the author’s insights on JFK’s “A Nation of Immigrants”, the US as a “melting pot” and Trump’s views on immigration.
The read is also worth it just for the author’s insights on JFK’s “A Nation of Immigrants”, the US as a “melting pot” and Trump’s views on immigration.
April 26, 2025
Miss Perkins was a very humble, and inspiring woman. From the correspondence shared in the book you can tell she really cared about trying to help as many people as possible escape the Nazis. She worked diligently and continuously at her job even as others tried to make that job harder to do, never giving up. It was also very refreshing to read about a public figure who was more concerned with getting the job done and doing it well even when she never received any credit. It was never about getting noticed for her, it was always trying to help the most people possible.
April 9, 2025
I really enjoyed this book — a fascinating portrait of how one individual woman tried, and sometimes succeeded, and sometimes failed, to overcome the systemic limitations she faced. More generally, it contains some of my favorite things: Sound of Music deep dives (see what I did there?), discussions of historical memory, and references to my hometown of Worcester, MA.
November 4, 2025
This is a contender for my favorite book of 2025. This is a must read if you’re interested in France’s Perkins’ life or the history of discriminatory immigration policy in America. I will be rereading this!
November 24, 2025
Perkins is one of my heroes, even more so since reading this good book highlighting her little-known but very active work to help Jewish refugees into the US before and during WWII. She was working against anti-semitism and xenophobia at the highest levels but she never gave up. Terrific book.
February 10, 2025
Dear Miss Perkins is a biography of Frances Perkins, the first woman to serve in a presidential cabinet. As Labor Secretary to FDR, she was able to help German Jews, particularly children, find safety in America. It wasn't easy. She faced criticism and antisemitism at every turn. Her empathy and tenacity are truly inspiring, especially in times full of anti-immigration rhetoric.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for a review copy of this audiobook.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for a review copy of this audiobook.
November 18, 2025
Really loved this!! I was hoping to read this before meeting Rebecca but it was incredible none the less!! I really enjoyed looking at her writing style and how she turned her thesis into a work for popular audiences. I thought the inclusion of different bits like the graphs and the cv were so fun! Her incorporation of pop culture also worked so well, it literally read like an academic article written for non-historians. Also made me even more excited for what else she's working on!
May 8, 2025
Abandoned at 37%
5/4/25 - 5/7/25
This book was full of dates and facts but read too much like a text book for me to get into it.
5/4/25 - 5/7/25
This book was full of dates and facts but read too much like a text book for me to get into it.
February 21, 2025
A great read that goes into Frances Perkins's herculean efforts on behalf of Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany, and the many, many forces that worked against her. As someone who reads a lot of history non-fiction, I particularly appreciated how this book went into the different perspectives and challenges of research. I also was very moved by the recounting of particular families' histories that were affected by Miss Perkins's work.
January 26, 2025
Diligently reseaarched by Graham the history lesson is one that should be taught in high schools to give the young students a detailed account of the time period Frances Perkins dedicated herself to Labor and Immigration in the United States. Ms. Perkins' loyalty her positions, the Constitution and her fellow man is more than admirable. She is aa true heroine working mostly behind the scenes.
A MUST read for all that can be learned. Very, very good writing, easy to understand and comprehend.
A MUST read for all that can be learned. Very, very good writing, easy to understand and comprehend.
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