Frances Perkins significantly advanced labor reforms in the United States as the first female U.S. Secretary of Labor. She championed the passage of key legislation, including the Fair Labor Standards Act, which established minimum wage and overtime pay. Perkins played a pivotal role in shaping the New Deal, advocating for the protection of workers' rights and social security. Her personal experiences witnessing the hardships of working-class individuals, particularly the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, fueled her commitment to improving working conditions and addressing issues like child labor and unemployment, profoundly influencing American labor policy.