Frances Perkins (Sociologist)

Frances Perkins was a pioneering sociologist and the first woman to serve in a U.S. presidential cabinet, as Secretary of Labor under Franklin D. Roosevelt. She studied social issues like poverty, labor rights, and working conditions, advocating for policies that improved the lives of workers. Her work led to significant reforms, including safer workplaces, the Social Security system, and fair labor standards. Perkins combined her understanding of social science with government service, helping shape policies that promote economic security and social justice for working people.