WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, President Biden signed a proclamation establishing the Frances Perkins National Monument in Newcastle, Maine, celebrating the legacy of America’s first woman Cabinet secretary and longest-serving secretary of labor. This designation recognizes Perkins’s pivotal role in shaping the New Deal and advancing labor rights that continue to benefit millions of Americans today.
Following is a reaction from Christy Goldfuss, executive director of NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council):
“This monument honors Frances Perkins’s groundbreaking contributions to our nation while reminding us of the progress yet to be made. Her unwavering commitment to justice and equity transformed the lives of millions and set a standard we continue to strive for today. It’s hard to imagine the modern American workforce without the action she took to prohibit child labor, enact a minimum wage, ensure the right to collective bargaining, and to institute a basic retirement pension for every worker and survivors benefits for our families.”
Background:
The Frances Perkins National Monument includes the 57-acre Perkins Homestead, which served as a place of inspiration and refuge throughout her life. The site will now be preserved as part of the National Park Service, ensuring that her legacy continues to educate and inspire future generations.
NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).
