The Frances Perkins Center, Newcastle.

Grandson of Frances Perkins, Tomlin Coggesall, Has Been the Force Behind the Creation of the Frances Perkins Center.

Biography of Frances Perkins, by Kirstin Downey, Published in 2009.

You are  invited to the 9th annual Garden Party Award Ceremony at the Frances Perkins Homestead, Newcastle, on Sunday, August 13th from 2:00 – 5:00 pm.

The Open Door Award will be resented to Joelle Gamble, Former National Director, Roosevelt Network.  The Steadfast Award will be presented to Kevin Concannon, former Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, USDA and former Commissioner of Maine’s DHS.

Frances Perkins was the 4th US Secretary of Labor and the first women ever to be appointed to a cabinet position.  Franklin D. Roosevelt was president.  Perkins was the principal architect of the New Deal. Her accomplishments on behalf of women and workers are extensive and life changing. They are well documented and should be honored from time to time.  For example, she was responsible for the first minimum wage, overtime laws and defined the 40-hour work week.

Perkins was born in Boston in 1880 and died in New York City in May of 1965. She graduated from Mt. Holyoke College, Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business. Her parents were both born in Maine and the River Road Homestead was the home of her father.  It became her refuge from the pressures of her responsibilities.  Her grandson, Tomlin Coggeshall,  has been the primary mover in making this lovely and secluded home a National Historic Landmark.

Tickets for this annual event are $75.00 and should be ordered no later than August 11th.   Refreshments will be served.  Tickets may be ordered at 207 563-3374 or online at www.FrancesPerkinsCenter.org, click on Events.  Or in person at the Frances Perkins Center, 170A Main Street, Damariscotta.