Frances Perkins, Then and Now: An Interview with Rebecca Brenner Graham

ARLINGTON, Va. - Rezul -- In this interview, Graham reflects on Perkins's enduring legacy and its relevance to current U.S. policy.

The Grateful American Book Prize aims to engage readers in grades 7–9 with American history. What kinds of conversations do you hope Dear Miss Perkins sparks in classrooms or at home—especially about what it means to stand up for others?

Sections of Dear Miss Perkins are primed to teach about the American social history of her lifetime from 1880 to 1965, the history of American immigration law from 1882 to 1965, and the history of American responses to the Holocaust. I would hope for all three topics to spark conversations about individual versus collective action. Despite powerful structural opposition, the actions of an individual mattered to individuals who benefited from her compassionate approach to immigration policy.

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What social forces and structural barriers did she face? How did an individual still make a difference? Why are collective action and structural reform necessary to enable more people to create positive change? I would then expect young readers to generate ideas about building individual care and generosity into government structures through law and reform, just like Frances Perkins.

Ultimately, I hope that these conversations prompt students to reflect on their own actions, ethics, and values.

Read the full interview on the Grateful American Book Prize website. https://gratefulamericanbookprize.org/2026/03/29/frances-perkins-then-and-now/