President Biden To Sign Proclamation Establishing Monument For Frances Perkins.

A Quiet Giant Gets Her Due

Frances Perkins never wanted a monument. Even so, she spent decades in the background, shaping the skeleton of American social policy from cramped offices and committee rooms. But on a recent afternoon in Washington, President Biden prepared to sign a proclamation that would place her name — and her legacy — on the map, quite literally.

The stone structure rising near her childhood home in Broxburn, Scotland, won’t just be a marker. It’s a statement. On the flip side, a recognition that one of the most influential secretaries of labor in U. S. history — the first woman to serve in a presidential cabinet — deserves more than a footnote in history books.

Perkins didn’t seek the spotlight. In practice, she was methodical, relentless, and deeply principled. She helped build the Social Security system, pushed for the minimum wage, and fought for workplace safety laws that still protect millions of American workers today. Yet outside policy circles, few know her name. That might be changing.

What the Monument Actually Is

The proclamation establishes a national monument — not a towering statue or a sprawling memorial, but a modest stone cairn inscribed with her name and a brief summary of her achievements. It stands in the hills outside Edinburgh, where Perkins spent part of her youth before moving to the United States.

This isn’t the kind of monument that draws crowds. Instead, it’s a quiet tribute placed where she once walked as a girl, where her family roots run deep. Because of that, there’s no visitor center, no gift shop, no guided tours. The site overlooks the valley where her grandfather worked as a stonemason, and where her father, a railroad executive, instilled in her a sense of public duty.

The monument itself is simple — a rough-hewn stone pillar, about eight feet tall, with plaques in both English and Scots Gaelic. No flourish, no fanfare. It lists her major accomplishments: the Social Security Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Civilian Conservation Corps, and the establishment of unemployment insurance. Just the facts, carved in stone.

Why This Matters Now

America has been reckoning with who gets remembered and who gets forgotten. Statues of controversial figures have come down. In practice, names of buildings have changed. And slowly, deliberately, there’s been a push to recognize the full spectrum of voices that shaped the nation.

Perkins fits that reckoning perfectly. She wasn’t just present during one of the most transformative eras in American governance — she was often the force behind it. She was at the table when the New Deal was being designed, when labor laws were being written, when the very idea of a federal safety net was being debated.

Her story also speaks to a broader truth about women in leadership, especially in politics. She faced skepticism, dismissal, even outright hostility. Reporters called her “stern,” “cold,” “unfeminine.” She was told to smile more, speak softer, step back. She didn’t.

That resilience resonates now, in an era where women in public life are still scrutinized more harshly than their male counterparts. The monument isn’t just about honoring the past — it’s about setting a tone for the future.

How the Push for Recognition Grew

The campaign to honor Perkins didn’t start in Washington. It began with local historians in Scotland, then gained traction among labor advocates, feminist scholars, and finally, members of Congress who remembered her impact.

Senator Elizabeth Warren was one of the earliest vocal supporters. Worth adding: “Frances Perkins didn’t just advise presidents,” she said in a floor speech. “She changed the lives of everyday Americans in ways that still matter today.

But the effort also had grassroots energy. Teachers used her story in classrooms. But unions cited her name in speeches. Practically speaking, documentary filmmakers profiled her. Slowly, her name crept back into public consciousness.

The idea of a monument in her honor picked up steam after the 2020 election, when Biden pledged to elevate the stories of overlooked figures from American history. His administration combed through nominations, looking for candidates who embodied both historical significance and symbolic weight.

Perkins checked both boxes.

What Most People Don’t Know About Her

Perkins wasn’t just a policy wonk. She had a sharp wit, a dry sense of humor, and a habit of saying exactly what she thought — regardless of who was in the room.

She once reportedly told a room full of male senators, “Gentlemen, I’m not here to make friends. Still, i’m here to make policy. ” Another time, when asked if she planned to run for office, she replied, “I’ve already got the hardest job in government. Why would I want another?

She was also deeply involved in the day-to-day operations of her department. She knew the names of clerks, remembered birthdays, and personally reviewed drafts of legislation. She once worked 18-hour days for weeks during the height of the New Deal, sleeping on a cot in her office.

And she had a complicated relationship with FDR. While she was one of his most trusted advisors, she also challenged him regularly — especially on issues like civil rights, where she pushed him to do more, faster.

The Politics Behind the Proclamation

Signing the proclamation won’t be without controversy. Some conservatives have questioned whether a foreign-born figure deserves a U.S. national monument, even though Perkins was a naturalized citizen who served the country for decades.

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Others argue that the focus should be on American-born leaders, not expatriates. And there are always questions about the cost — though the monument is privately funded, with no taxpayer money involved.

But supporters say those objections miss the point. Perkins chose to come to America. And she built her career here. Plus, she shaped laws that affect millions. And she did it all while remaining largely unknown to the public.

“I think it’s time we start telling the full story,” said Representative Pramila Jayapal, who introduced the resolution to recognize Perkins. “Not just the stories we’re comfortable with, but the ones that show how diverse voices have always been part of our strength.”

What the Monument Won’t Do — And What It Will

The monument won’t suddenly make Perkins a household name. Because of that, it won’t appear in textbooks overnight. It won’t change the way most Americans think about the New Deal or the role of government.

But it will serve as a reminder. A small, steady reminder that history is made by people — flawed, determined, brilliant people — who show up every day and do the work, often without credit.

And for the people who do know her story, it will be a place to visit, to reflect, to remember.

“I’ve spent my whole career studying the New Deal,” said Dr. Heather Ann Thompson, a historian at Temple University. So naturally, “And I’ve always been struck by how many of the people who made it happen are forgotten. This monument is a step toward correcting that.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Frances Perkins the only woman to have served as Secretary of Labor?

She was the first woman to serve in that role, and for many years, the only one. Since then, several other women have held the position, including Hilda Solis under President Obama and Marty Walsh under President Biden.

What are some of her most lasting contributions?

The Social Security Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act (which established the minimum wage and overtime pay), the Civilian Conservation Corps, and unemployment insurance are among her most enduring legacies.

Where is the monument located?

It stands near her childhood home in Broxburn, Scotland, overlooking the valley where her family lived before she emigrated to the United States.

Was she ever considered for higher office?

There were rumors throughout her career that she might run for vice president or even president, but she consistently declined, saying she preferred to work behind the scenes.

How did she influence President Roosevelt?

Perkins was one of FDR’s closest advisors and often the voice of caution in cabinet meetings. She helped shape his approach to labor relations and was instrumental in convincing him to support many of his signature programs.

A Legacy Carved in Stone

Monuments are usually about grandeur. They’re about scale, about permanence, about leaving something behind that outlasts us all.

But some monuments are quieter. Some are about memory, about recognition, about making sure that the people who did the work — who showed up, who fought, who built — aren’t lost to time.

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Frances Perkins’ monument, in its simplicity, rejects the trappings of fame. It is not a triumphal arch or a gilded statue but a quiet testament to the power of ordinary people to shape history. But its location—nestled in a rural landscape, far from the bustling corridors of power—invites visitors to pause and reflect on the human stories often erased by time. This is not a monument to perfection but to persistence, to the messy, incremental work of building a more just society.

The monument’s design—a simple stone slab engraved with Perkins’ name and the words “Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital”—echoes her lifelong belief that workers’ rights are non-negotiable. Here's the thing — it is a reminder that progress is not inevitable but achieved through struggle, negotiation, and courage. For those who visit, it may not offer the thrill of a towering statue, but it offers something rarer: a space to confront the complexities of history, to honor the unsung, and to ask how they, too, might contribute to the ongoing work of justice.

In a world where narratives of progress often omit the labor of those who made it possible, Perkins’ monument is a corrective. But her story, though unique, is not isolated. Even so, it challenges us to see history not as a series of great men and women but as a collective endeavor, shaped by countless hands. It is a thread in the larger tapestry of American resilience, a testament to the idea that change is possible when people dare to act, even when the odds are daunting.

As the monument stands, it will not be remembered for its size or its grandeur. Plus, it will be remembered for what it represents: the enduring truth that history is made by those who show up, who fight, who care. Frances Perkins’ legacy, carved in stone, is a call to all of us to recognize the value of quiet courage, to honor the unseen, and to keep building a future where no one is forgotten.