Statement Released by Frances Perkins
(As told to the Supreme Executive Committee)
I must say I feel very much at home even though I just arrived. I feel at home because Lent Madness has, ever since it was established, been a sort of special concern of mine, although by the chicanery of politics it was not placed in the Department of Labor. I, of course, thought it should be.
I remember seeing ladies climbing up on great high stepladders and getting files out of shelves -- dusty, dirty -- many wearing gloves so they wouldn't get their hands dirty while hunting through the files for information about saints. A terrific problem of recordkeeping! You don't do that today.
Before I was elected, I had a little conversation with the SEC in which I said perhaps they didn't want me to be the Golden Halo winner, because if I were, I should want to do this, and this, and this. Among the things I wanted to do was find a way of getting health insurance for the living and voter fraud insurance for the dead. I remember they looked so startled, and they said, "Well, do you think it can be done?" I said, "I don't know." They said, "Well, there are theological problems, aren't there?" "Yes, very severe theological problems," I said. "But what have we been elected for except to solve the theological problems? Lots of other problems have been solved by the people of Lent Madness, and there is no reason why this one shouldn't be solved."
Seems pretty similar to a famous speech she gave discussing the roots of Social Security. But then, when you've won the Golden Halo, who's to question you?
120 comments on “Frances Perkins Wins Lent Madness 2013 Golden Halo!”
Thank you for a very informative, prayerful Lent. But in my book, Florence Li Tim-Oi gets the Golden Halo, not because she shares my name and not because she was the first ordained female, but because she was the "Mother Teresa" of her area, a humble servant. Thank you for letting me know of her life.
Florence Li Tim-Oi was my pick, too. A very remarkable woman.
And mine. But I'll accept FP.
Florence Li Tim-Oi was my choice too. Oh well, maybe another year. Congratulations to Frances Perkins (for whom I did not vote this time). I was amazed at her accomplishments and her faith. Oh, and yes, the Social Security checks are extremely helpful, coming as they are as a result of money I
Oops. Hit the return my mistake
As a result of money my employers and I have contributed over the many years of working.
I work for a public university, where at least in my department there are strict rules and paltry budgets for entertaining. When we fete departing staff, or have other celebrations, we all chip in from our own wallets.
And then there's the example of my kids' teachers, who buy necessary items, such as books and supplies, out of their own pockets. I'm on the PTA executive board and know for a fact that there is no money for celebrations and such--we have to hold a paper drive every year for heaven's sake. We parents put on a teacher appreciation luncheon twice a year, and I believe they also chip in for their own end-of-year party.
As far as the Department of Labor, they are all scheduled for unpaid furlough days this year thanks to the sequester.
FWIW.
Many of you are taking this way too seriously. This is ALL 'madness', and a opportunity to learn about people who all have something about them worth emulating. I am pretty sure Luke would have respected FP, as she was certainly inspired by Luke.
AMEN!
I love that hymn, too. Raised a few eyebrows when my mother and I selected it for one of the hymns for my 90-year-old father's very traditional Rite I Memorial Service! But everybody sang it loud and proud.
Cheers to all of the 32 Saints in this year's Lent Madness. All deserve golden halos, methinks.
A saint in and for our time. I am glad to know about her, and [being retired], I appreciate all she did. If her portrait is in the Labor Department, I sincerely hope someone puts her halo on.
The dance of Lent has been one of such madness and fun; such a great opportunity to learn more deeply about Christians who came before us and lived boldy, or in a salute to Brene Brown and the other Roosevelt, "dared greatly." (Thank you, SEC, and intrepid bloggers!)
Congratulations, Frances, and thank you for all you have done to help our union live so graciously into welcoming "the huddled masses" and providing for one another. There is still so much work to do ... onward to Easter.
And I wasn't kidding when I suggested Advent Madness, but what about a different name "Audacious Advent"?
Blessed triduum, all! I will miss you!
Sorry guys, but this is sad. The mother of our nanny state being elevated to Mary and above so many truely more worthy candidates is absurd.
Amen!
Hear, hear!
It's been fun, but . . . Francis Perkins really? Hob knobbing with the upper crust and Presidents who at most affected a relatively small number of people albeit in a good way versus Luke (or at least the person who wrote in his name) possible contemporary of Jesus himself. His writings and influences have affected billions world-wide across centuries. I question (realizing its all in fun) the legitimacy of the vote and argues that we are simply caught up in the perceived importance of our own time and culture. Happy Easter from the Gospel of St. Luke!
Affected a relatively small group of people? Really? Have you read about what Frances Perkins actually did? This is how we are supposed to live out our faith, by doing God's work in the world. The importance of this work is timeless!
This result is yet another mysterious pointing to the Great Mystery of us all.
Not really a mystery actually, clearly FP just had the most votes. And the SEC thought Hawaii was a problem last year? Now that looks ludicrous in hindsight. I think Frances Perkins was a wonderful example of living a truly good life, but consider not only Luke, but all those other wonderful people/saints in this competition and it is evident, Frances had the backing/votes of very specific special interest groups. Look at the numbers, no mystery whatsoever. But the season was very interesting....somewhat dismaying, but certainly interesting.
Frances Perkins, as so many other hard-working, law-abiding (public) servants is an unsung hero of sorts. I and my Mount Holyoke College fellow alumnae hold her as our very own patron saint. She provided a measure of reflection and an attempt at the equalization of women, women's and children's labor rights, in American society. She was a human rights activist of some eloquence and education and had the good fortune to have her leadership attributes recognized by male leaders of her day so that the policies enacted during her term at the US dept of Labor improved the living conditions and bestowed labor rights on the most vulnerable and politically disenfranchised of the land--women and children. Thank you, Frances Perkins, you are a saint in my book!
Thanks for a great Lent Madness. Only one sour moment for me: the account of Therese of Lisieux trivialized her. A typical failing - many people don't get past her nickname of "the little flower." But there is a reason she is considered a saint for those suffering from despair, especially despair over the loss of faith. (Simon Tugwell's chapter on her in Ways of Imperfection gives a more complete picture of her).
Yay Frances! Now I have to figure out how to portray her in tiny crochet.
Stunned. I'm just...stunned.
Maybe just shows I was taking this just a wee bit and w a y too seriously.
Poor St. Luke!
I woke up to serious LMW this morning - thank you, SEC, bloggers, and commenters! Until next year!
Interesting that the majority of dissenters and nay-sayers are men. We might not have potty parity but we got Frances....although I voted for Luke and most others she just creamed. My constant reminder to the disgruntled and humorless is to remember the premise: LENT MADNESS! Not a SANE LENT. I had fun and learned a lot. Now I eagerly await the 2013 GOLDEN HALO/Frances P. mug for alternate coffee days using the 2012 GOLDEN HALO/Mary Mags mug. Now starting withdrawal pangs so on to a cuppa joe! See y'all next year, the Good Lord willin' and Luke the Evangelist forgivin'. Good job, Padres Gunn and Schenck and, begrudglingly, MAPLE ANGLICAN whose dialect/accents I still distrust.
I voted for Luke, but was so inspired reading about Frances Perkins. Every Saint was a lesson. Thanks so much for this joyous way to renew and grow in faith during Lent!
Already suffering withdrawal and need my cuppa - I've ordered last year's Mary Mug and wondering if I want Frances' mug on a mug - she doesn't look too happy, but then, being the only woman in the Cabinet during the Depression wasn't too joyful and having someone else get the credit for her work....
I was concerned that Luke had the advantage of the focus of Year C scripture in generating votes. However, given the political climate we live in, I am grateful that an "unknown" could be placed in a position of prominence in order to remind us of just what it takes to live into the promises made a Holy Baptism.
With that in mind, I'm going to re-post a part of what I wrote during the first round about Frances: "But recent history with an Episcopalian who lived her life as a manifestation of her spirituality while serving in government gets my vote on the day when so many foolish and shortsighted politicians impose the implications of the sequester on all of us. Frances, we need to hear your voice again. Anyone who could get and keep Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s attention is sorely needed now."
My hope is that Frances Perkins, our 2013 bearer of the Golden Halo, gets the same level of attention that the SEC received when Lent Madness began this year.
YES Mary Lyon must be so proud.
Job well done! SEC, bloggers, commenters, and all others involved! Golden halos to all.
What a special Lent! Thank you from this newbie!
Any chance of a better picture of FP for the mug? Check out the one on the Mount Holyoke College facebook page: a charming young FP in cap and gown... and a halo that fits perfectly on top of the mortarboard!
P.S. My guess is that Mount Holyoke would gladly give permission for the use of the image.
meh
♫ They were all of them saints of God and I mean, God helping, to be one too ♫
Thank you SEC and celebrity bloggers for a holy (and happy) Lent!
I am confused by the snarkiness about the DNC. It came down to a victory by the one who invented Social Security, which you have to work to earn, over the promulgator of communism and unwed motherhood! If your life does not and will not depend on Social Security, then Luke is indeed the saint for you -- sell what you have and share with those who are retiring on minimum wage!
A very happy surprise for me! Now, I hope the SEC will put those mugs up for sale well before Lent next year--maybe even by Advent so we can give them as Christmas gifts? Pretty please?
So when is the mug going to be available?
I'm extremely disappointed. I voted against her every time. She was into politics, not sanctity. I'm truly shocked that people would choose a person doing social politics over the others, expecially over a writer of the Gospel wo traveled with St. Paul on his missionary journeys and suffered persecution with him.
maybe a better choice will be made next year.
Dorine, I voted for Luke too, but Frances was not simply "into politics". Everything she did was in conscious service to her Lord, Jesus Christ, and to fulfill his gospel. Like all the saints, she was into sanctity in her own personal way. Now I have to get off. As a verger in the depths of Holy Week, I've barely had time to vote. Thanks SEC, Bloggers, Maple A, commenters, and everyone else!
St. Frances Perkins, and Papa Francisco I ...... both from the New World. I like it.
now i think we are entitled to know who maple anglican is altho i do believe it's the SEC!
Three cheers--and thanks to the person who quoted from "I Sing a Song of the Saints of God." It's an important hymn that should be sung more often by grown-ups as well as children.
Thrilled that Frances won the Golden Halo! Thank you all for the fun and education. Same time
next year? Blessed Easter. Linda
I too am very happy with Frances' win. No, I was not named after her. I vacillated between her and Luke and decided that at the end of the day, the point of Holy Women and Holy Men is that they are models of discipleship to whom we turn for inspiration. Frances' life was directed by her faith and love of Jesus Christ. That is how we are all called to live, so if we work for a bank, how do we model the Gospel in that setting? If we work for an insurance company, how do we model the Gospel in that setting? Frances modeled and proclaimed her understanding of the Gospel in her daily living, not just in Church on Sundays. She worked to make a substantial difference for love of the Gospel. Thanks be to God that she did!
I truly enjoyed my first Lent Madness and look forward to next year!