Perkins was the driving force behind the Social Security Act. How does the novel’s portrayal of this landmark achievement heighten your understanding and appreciation of it?
I honestly never delved into the history of social security. This book certainly helped me understand how it all came about. And what really surprised me was how difficult it was for her to push it through.
It was a revelation to hear that Perkins was responsible for Social Security. I wish this was more widely known. Her great interest in social services, and power as cabinet member put her in an excellent position to push this through. She exhibited great tenacity.
I never really thought about the origin of social security before reading this book. I certainly never knew that a woman was behind it! For most all folks in the workforce today, it is just a deduction from a paycheck that nobody thinks about until retirement. It amazes me that it has been in force for nearly 100 years.
The original language of the SS initiative was changed as it made its way through committees before becoming a bill and then a law. Perkins was distressed at times but accepted the reality of the tweaks in order to have the bigger picture approved. Most of us have paid into SS and yet the current political language from Washington D.C. calls SS an entitlement. Really? And has Congress diverted monies from SS to fund something else with the promise of repaying SS? Perkins never intended SS to be a “bank”. We all need to listen closely to what is being said about SS and means to make communication difficult with SS agencies across the country. Having ranted, I am grateful for Perkins insight and foresight. She and others would be dismayed by the current antics.
I thought I had a good knowledge of American history, and I knew quite a bit about Child Welfare laws and workers’ rights; but most of the information revealed about the genesis of Social Security was new to me. I think Roosevelt was wise to let Frances find her own way and “learn by doing.”
I didn’t know she was the architect of the idea of social security. She saw with her own eyes, as a social worker, what happens to families when tragedy strikes. Plus,for older Americans who could no longer work, but had no income to sustain them. Of course, the idea, and the final product are not always the same, but this is government helping its citizens. Since its inception, social security has been under fire, and now we’re going to find out if survives.
Perkins was a driving force behind passing the legislation for social security. She wasn’t the brains behind it, but Edwin Witte, an economics professor from the University of Wisconsin had worked on the economics and operation of such a plan as did Arthur Altimeter. They worked together on the whole project as part of a committee. Unfortunately, the novel seems to have Perkins as the sole innovator and promoter. About that time in history Wisconsin was involved in many progressive ideas, many promoted by Progressive Governor Robert LaFollette. The first workman’s compensation insurance business was located in my hometown in Wisconsin.
Thanks for sharing this historical note, Marion. It’s good to know the details and accuracy.
I learned so much from this book ! First, about Perkins and how hard she worked to achieve what became a unique system, which we all have benefitted from. Perkins was truly a ground breaker both as a female in politics and a leader with a heart. She chose to create a better life for working people when she could have enriched herself. I am happy that she chose the one she did,
I knew that Perkins had been instrumental in the idea behind Social Security, but this novel (and some follow up reading on my own) really emphasized how involved she was. It is remarkable to look back and see what this program has done for hundreds of millions of people since it was enacted.
Before reading the book, I had had no idea about what went into creating the Social Security Act. Honestly, I never even gave it much thought. I would say that the book has dramatically heightened my understanding and appreciation of it. This novel showed what happened to people who lost their jobs, their spouses, their health, their limbs when they had no financial safety net, and portrayed how much time, effort, convincing, and compromise went into creating the program that would change that. I am so grateful to Frances Perkins, FDR, and the many other people who had the foresight, passion, and tenacity to put this program in place.
I agree with the postings above. I did not know SS was her idea. But I should not be surprised when learning she was a social worker. She saw first hand the poverty of the average American during that time. I think she had to work really hard to drag other cabinet members into agreeing, but they did not know or see what people were living like. And at the time, The “titans of Industry” did not care about their workers…