Frances Perkins Center

09/09/2026

⭐️Proud member since 2009! ⭐️

Thank you Maine Association of Nonprofits for all you do to support mission-driven organizations 💫🤍💫

🌟 Nonprofit Member Highlight: Frances Perkins Center

Based at the new Frances Perkins National Monument in Newcastle, the Frances Perkins Center inspires current and future generations to understand and uphold the government’s role in providing social justice and economic security for all. Their work carries forward the legacy of Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins, champion of American workers and the first woman in a presidential cabinet. Learn more at https://francesperkinscenter.org

🎉 Member Since 2009 🎉 Thank you for being part of MANP’s statewide network of 1,300+ nonprofit members and partners across business, government, and philanthropy. Together, we strengthen Maine!

📸 Photos courtesy of Frances Perkins Center.

09/08/2026

OPINION: "This Labor Day, our mission is to honor the American workforce that built our nation’s strength, prosperity and high standard of living, while acknowledging that there is still work yet to be done. As we envision the next 250 years, we can find inspiration in the dreamers and doers who came before us."

https://thehill.com/opinion/civil-rights/6070213-frances-perkins-labor-legacy/

09/07/2026

This Labor Day, we pay respect to two unforgettable women who used their wildly different talents to leave the world better than they found it.

Frances Perkins, Secretary of Labor under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, was the force behind the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938, which codified fundamental labor protections, including the federal minimum wage and standardized workweek that would eventually lead to the “nine-to-five” schedule.

Dolly Parton gave a powerful new voice to these issues in her iconic 1980 pop masterpiece “9 to 5,” bringing Perkins’ hard-won accomplishments into the modern era and spotlighting the challenges women continued to face in the workplace decades after the FLSA was signed into law.

09/03/2026

👉From Frances Perkins to trailblazers like "Ms." magazine co-founder Gloria Steinem, women have long challenged norms and reshaped history 🩷

In this insightful article for "Ms.", Rebecca Brenner Graham, historian and author of "Dear Miss Perkins: A Story of Frances Perkins's Efforts to Aid Refugees from N**i Germany", examines Perkins' legacy through the evolution of her name and titles. ⤵️

Exploring the evolving identities and legacy of Frances Perkins, the pioneering labor secretary who navigated gender and politics.

09/02/2026

08/26/2026

Frances Perkins was guided by the hope that all Americans could prosper with fair pay, workplace safety, and financial security in old age. As Labor Secretary under FDR, she was responsible for New Deal legislation like the Social Security Act and Fair Labor Standards Act that we benefit from today.

Whether you are headed to Roosevelt Campobello International Park with a stop at West Quoddy Head Light, exploring Acadia National Park or traveling inland to , the Frances Perkins National Monument is conveniently located 1.5 miles off coastal Rt. 1 in scenic Newcastle, ME.

Come learn more about Frances Perkins, be inspired by her life and legacy, and enjoy the serene 57-acre Perkins family homestead with a 1.3-mile loop trail to the Damariscotta River.

Open 9-3, Wednesdays-Sundays, through October 11

08/18/2026

Even before you step inside, Twelve Maine Women: Portraits of Change gives you a reason to stop and look. The faces filling the gallery windows at 16 State have been catching the attention of people passing by, and the exhibition becomes even more compelling once you walk through the door.

Visit during regular gallery hours:

Wednesdays, 10 AM to 2 PM
Fridays, 3 to 6 PM
Saturdays, 10 AM to 2 PM

Because 16 State is also home to the Heart of Ellsworth office, you may find the gallery open at other times, too. If you are walking by and the lights are on, there is a good chance the door is unlocked. Come in and take a look.

The exhibition continues through September 25, with two more opportunities to experience its stories together. Join us September 15 for The New Deal at Work, followed, followed by Voices & Visions, an art making and song gathering for all ages, on September 19.

Find event details and learn more about the exhibition:
www.makerspaceat16state.org/in-the-gallery/twelve-maine-women-portraits-of-change

08/14/2026

91 years ago, on August 14, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law—a historic capstone in the career of Frances Perkins, Secretary of Labor for FDR and chief architect of the legislation. When monthly benefit payments began in 1940, they reached just 222,000 beneficiaries. Today, in 2026, over 75 million Americans rely on Social Security payments. Thank you Frances Perkins for steadfast leadership and innovative ideas that continues to improve the lives of all Americans.

08/05/2026

⭐️Join us Tuesday Aug 11th at 5:30 PM ⭐️ for this special evening starting with a viewing of the summer exhibit, Twelve Maine Women: Portraits of Change by Robert Shetterly, (Heart of Ellsworth Gallery, 16 State St, Ellsworth) followed by a panel discussion next door at the Ellsworth Public Library.

What does it mean to lead, protect, and advocate in Maine today? These dynamic presenters will explore the trailblazing leaders who are shaping the state’s social, political, and cultural landscape. Drawing inspiration from the enduring legacy of Frances Perkins and the diverse, powerful generations of Maine women who have championed progress, our speakers will explore the intersections of policy, environmental stewardship, Indigenous sovereignty, and community organizing.

🎟️ Tickets are available from American's Who Tell the Truth in advance or at the door. See Learn More below ⬇️

Panelists:

🎙️ Amanda Hatch, Executive Director of the Frances Perkins Center

🎙️ Maulian Dana Bryant, Executive Director of the Wabanaki Alliance

🎙️Chloe Maxmin, Environmental activist & co-owner of Begin Again Farm in Warren, ME

Moderated by: Darren Ranco, Chair of Native American Programs and Coordinator of Native American Research at the University of Maine

07/30/2026

We had a fantastic evening hosting Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce After Hours. Thank you to everyone who came and made the evening a success 🎉