Ace A Level History 2026: Rock America's Past – Practice Exam Extravaganza!

Frances Perkins served as Secretary of Labor from 1933 to 1945, making her the first woman to hold a cabinet position in the United States. In this role, she played a significant part in shaping and implementing the New Deal policies aimed at recovering the American economy during the Great Depression. Her contributions included advocating for labor rights, unemployment insurance, and social security. Perkins was instrumental in the establishment of key pieces of legislation such as the Fair Labor Standards Act, which set minimum wage and maximum hour standards, and she fought for improved working conditions. Her influence and perspective were vital in ensuring that labor issues were prioritized in the New Deal's framework, reflecting a significant shift toward greater government involvement in economic and social policies.