Welcome to Poetry Friday! We are hosted this week here by Carol at her blog Apples in My Orchard. Thank you, Carol!
You can find out more about Poetry Friday here.
Last week I mentioned listening to children’s author Melissa Stewart’s work shop on picture book biography. She discussed writing about historical figures who are not widely known. To catch a publisher’s eye, the author needs to find something in this past life that still resonates today.
Francis Perkins is not currently widely known. She was nominated by FDR to be the first woman cabinet secretary. She ran the Department of Labor.
She was a compassionate woman who didn’t blame the poor who suffered during the depression as some did. She chose to help them. She was the social justice voice behind the 1935 New Deal legislation.
THE ONLY WOMAN IN THE PHOTO: Francis Perkins and Her New Deal for America, is a picture book biography by renowned author Kathleen Krull, Illustrated by the talented Alexandra Bye.
There have always been figures in American history who felt that it is not the responsibility of taxpayers to help the poor. This debate is still going on today. Some continue to believe that if the poor should simply work harder, they wouldn’t be poor.
But Francis Perkins knew that there were “unnecessary hazards to life” and “unnecessary poverty.” The elderly who cannot work are only one example. The New Deal is why Social Security, unemployment insurance, and a minimum wage exist today. It was the beginning of a safety net for Americans and this book is a reminder of the suffering in America that inspired it.
Francis Perkins is relevant today because of her passion for social justice. I am grateful for her service to the country.
FRANCIS PERKINS' NEW DEAL There once was a woman named Francis Who FDR thought would enhance his Department of Labor, we SO owe her a favor! From our bustling coastlines to Kansas. © Janice Scully
This looks like a fascinating book. And I am in love with your rhymes!
Love the limerick celebrations, Janice. And wish there were more who followed her wishes for helping the poor.
Janice, thank you for introducing me to Francis! What a great story. And you wrote a sweet little limerick honoring her too!
Janice, This is a fun and informative post on a woman who we all should have known more about! Thank you for telling us all about Francis Perkins this week.
I’m sure you’ll giggle…but I’m a HUGE Frances Perkins fan! She was amazing and so driven to make her world a better place and the future better for us. I MUST get my hands on that book. Thank you for highlighting it and poeming about one of my heros!
Thank you for sharing about Francis Perkins. We need more books in the world about amazing women. The poem made me smile.
Ha! You surprised the heck out of me with your limerick–why *not* celebrate important people and their accomplishments in a form known for foolishness??
Your limerick is a fun tribute to an important woman in America’s history. Thanks for highlighting this book!
Fabulous limerick about a VERY important unsung heroine! Francis Perkins was amazing!!
Wow, the title of this book hooks me immediately. Your limerick is so much fun — a mini-biography!
Clever limerick, Janice! I was recently introduced to Francis Perkins in Heather Cox Richardson’s Letters from an American. Such an important but overlooked historical figure. This PB is the perfect vehicle for kids to get to know her.
As an aside, Heather Cox Richardson is a historian who does a great job of showing the historical connection to current political events in a very accessible way. Here’s the link to her free newsletter if you’re interested: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=postcta
Love your limerick Janice, and your shedding light on Francis Perkins and the new picture book about her–looks wonderful, thanks–And I agree we need those safety nets!
This post provides a historical perspective on a figure that I did not know and a lovely limerick, Janice. Thanks for sharing the information and your work.