Is there a quote or scene in Becoming Madam Secretary that stood out for you? Why do you suppose it resonated?
On looking back on her career, Frances says (page 493) “Social Security - which was expanded again and again to cover more Americans of every race and creed - is now so much a part of American psychology that I truly believe no politician, political party, or political group can possibly destroy it and maintain a democratic system”. Is this where we are headed?
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Good point Christine. Too bad Frances isn’t here now to fight for us, like she did back then.
That quote jumped out at me too! Where is Frances when we need her?
I agree with Christine. There were so many instances that stood out to me. We all must step up and try to be the Frances Perkins for all of us in any way we can. Page 346 where the Section 24 Agents were behaving like gangsters threatening immigrants. “ Most of these agents were thugs, plain and simple Most of them owed their positions to nepotism rather than talent or skill…” I could go on but reading this book is beyond chilling in so many ways.
I was struck by the corrupt political bosses stepping up to have her back when others refused. They respected her & the work she put into their communities.
I appreciated the scene when Frances stepped in front of FDR at the arena to shield him at the podium so that he could get back down. She noticed there was a “situation” and didn’t hesitate to step in and address it - later, FDR told her that this act elevated her in his eyes to “more than a political friend.” She showed herself to be the kind of person everybody wants in their camp - an intuitive, calm, capable human being. She was a nurturing, observant, and decent human being who was also passionate about what she saw and knew. I love that her strengths were feminine - she didn’t aspire to be a man.
Judith, you’ve hit on all her strong points. She was such a strong woman, but also kind and caring.
I loved this quote on page 487, “So maybe a spark of madness was what it took to accomplish anything truly revolutionary in the world.”
This quote, on page 463, has a familiar feel to it. “Miss Perkins, sometimes there’s a man–or a woman–who is made for a moment. I happen to think you were made for this one.”
On page 3, “Churchill once said that meeting Franklin Roosevelt was like opening your first bottle of champagne, and that knowing him was like drinking it.”
…” If we want to keep our American way of life alive and well, we need to give our folks some security and democracy worth fighting for.”
Our government is in turmoil and the threat to our democracy is real. The very topics Mrs. Perkins fought for are now on the chopping block. The American people need to wake up!