Perkins, Frances (1882–1965)

US public official. She became the first female cabinet officer when she served as secretary of labour under F D Roosevelt 1933–45. Under Harry Truman she was a member of the federal civil service commission 1946–53.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, and educated at Mount Holyoke, Perkins worked at Hull House settlement house in Chicago before receiving a master's degree in economics from Columbia University 1910. Holding a succession of posts in state regulatory agencies, she became a reformer of labour standards. She served on the State Industrial Board 1923–29 and was appointed New York State's industrial commissioner 1929.