Congratulations to 2013 Golden Halo Winner — Frances Perkins!
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?
Yahoo! My sermon is complete! Washing feet indeed. Christian leadership 101.
Congratulations to Heidi for shepherding Frances thorough to the Golden Halo Big Lobster rocks.
Although they never voted, of course, our Sanctuary House cats have opinions:
Francine and Francis say YES!
Luke says . . . maybe another year.
Hilda says Blessed be . . .
and everyone else says Meow, it’s time for breakfast!
Our saint might win a halo, loose a halo–
But still we helped to choose the halo.
That’s the gladness of,
That’s the Madness of Lent.
We got to laugh a little, cry a little,
And let the comments fly a little.
That’s gladness of,
That’s the Madness of Lent.
And thanks to Maple Anglican,
We got the cool Clairvoyatron.
Miss P’s an able Anglican–
It’s appropos she won.
And so I thank the writers, thank the fighters.
Thanks, SEC–you’re such delighters–
For the gladness of, for the Madness of Lent–
For the stories of and all the glories of Lent.
And so I thank the writers, thank the fighters
(Please ignore the last line–poor editing, not an attempt at an encore.)
Do we have a theme song???
(like)
like, also
Bravo!
Love this! Thank you.
Love it! Any chance to sing.
Delightful! I feel like singing… in a subdued, Tenebrae sort of way, of course!
yay for Peg- good job. a golden halo to you for writing that!
But…but…she’s not a SAINT! Are you trying to start another LM scandal?
Seriously, nice poem Peg!
Ah, but, through Jesus’ death and resurrection are we not all (at the same time) Saint and Sinner?
Like PLENTY.
Brilliant!
Love it 🙂
I can just see imagine the party the folks at the Department of Labor will be throwing tonight.
They will have to party “sequestered” in an unknown cavern DC. Times are tough.
and as long as the party is NOT at tax payers’ expense.
How else is the government funded?
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.
As a retired “public servant” I do have to say that if there is any celebration (and there should be) it will definitely be at the revelers’ personal expense. They will enjoy the joy of this victory, but not at the expense of any of us. Why not celebrate? I certainly would if I were there.
Well that’s good to know, and you’re right, they should celebrate!
Thank you SEC, bloggers, Maple Anglican and the Archbishops. A great Lent Madness. Happy Easter.
Ditto!
I’m stunned but thrilled.
As a proud member of St. Luke’s Church I’m a little disappointed however once again I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the Madness. Can’t wait until next year.
I’m stunned but thrilled too. Now I know my alma mater (SU) is going to beat Indiana tonight. The spirit of Frances is going to lift them to victory. As a result, after they win, they’ll do work to help homeless kids in Syracuse. I’m really praying they do that.
My parents came of age in the Great Depression and I remember both of them talking about Frances Perkins. Now I know how much we have for which to thank her and, more importantly, the God with whom she lived and breathed and had her being.
OK, now for the really big question: when and how can we order our Frances Perkins mugs?
Yes, please!
Thanks for the great song, Peg! And thank you, celebrity bloggers and SEC for making my Lent a bit deeper this year, learning about these saints. I am intrigued enough to spend a bit of time each day actually reading my volume of HWHM, which I bought with such good intentions some time back. Finally, yay for Frances. Astonishing. And isn’t that apropos for Holy Week. I bet things were pretty astonishing back then.
Pretty sure St Mary Magdalene has the giggles. Dignified giggles, of course!
cannot believe that Francis beat out Luke, how is that possible?? 🙁
Democracy.
No, Madness!
They blend….
What an interesting Lent this has been. As I have moved through the match ups I was prompted to think about how each person informed who we are in 2013 and how we can live into God’s kingdom more fully. Each of the people on the bracket has formed and informed us. Sometimes we have listened better than others. Some voices seemed particularly important to hear again; those were the ones that got my vote. I have had mixed emotions about the saintly kitch round, but have come to value it because it sheds light on how the world notices and perceives each person; and provides some good laughs too. I look forward to meeting more fascinating people next year. I am thrilled that Frances earned the Golden Halo this year because her message seems particularly apropos right now, again.
Thank you so much for a fun and wonderful Lent Madness. I am so delighted by our surprise winner. I can’t wait for the Frances Perkins mug. Maybe you should start making them early this year?
Yee ha. I am thrilled and surprised. great news
Yeay, Frances! But guys, surely you could have found a “halo” picture/photo in which she’s smiling.
Even she doesn’t think she should have won…
The Archbishops cover the event here:
Dear Maple, thanks for all the hard work with the Archbishops this year. I do hope you will be able to secure the Clairvoyatron (or as Archbishop John always put it, the ‘ClairvoyATron’) next year, and that you will have time to produce the videos, or find help producing them. They have been a pleasure to watch!
Sigh. I don’t understand the whole Francis Perkins “thing.” Especially when compared to my heroes Dorothy Day and Oscar Romero. I guess there’s always next year. Is the SEC going to be taking nominations for next year’s bracket?
Maybe if you learned how to spell her name you’d understand better.
(Note that the detractors are the ones who don’t know how to spell the female form of Frances.)
Quite a few of those who supported Perkins also misspelled her name. As Professor Kirke says in “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” “What do they teach them in these schools?”
True madness emerged. It has been a moast interesting and diabolical Lent. Great way to learn and appreciate a lot of not too well known Holy Folks. We thank you and congratulate all of the behind the webpage laborers. Go get your feet washed today!! Many Blessings for a glorious Easter!!
I am dancing in my heart at Frances’ victory. She is exactly the right one to bare the standard for the current time. This has been a wonderful journey. Thank you to all!
I am very diappointed Luke did not win the golden halo.
So glad that Frances Perkins won! Such a good Christian saint. Thank you for your time and talent in doing this great Lenten discipline. I enjoyed it very much and look forward to next year!
Yay! She has run the good race. Thank you SEC for the fun opportunity to learn about such fine examples of Christianity.
Happy Easter, everyone.
Thank you SEC, Celebrity Bloggers, Maple Anglican, and the Most-Fabulous Bracket Czar, for another meaningful and humorous Lent. Now 343 days of the more sedate Calendar of Saints, LF&F, and HMHW for my hagiography. When will the play in rounds begin? And how about t-shirts next year? Easter Blessings to all.
2009 Convention’s faux-saint, patroness of DNC political hackery, takes the halo.
Miserere nobis.
Could not agree more!!
You don’t understand Lent Madness or sainthood if you can say such things.
To the contrary – I understand both Lent Madness and, I suppose as well as any great sinner can, sainthood. But… My understanding of sainthood is formed in the context of catholic tradition rather than in the partisan and highly politicized progressive TEC zeitgeist, and the canonization of Frances Perkins 4 years ago is, in my view at best premature, and largely an injection of rather provincial American partisanship into the process of determining who is a saint.
As well, for those of us who are not so enamored of social welfare ideas, but have other visions of what constitutes a just social order, Perkins’ standing as ringmaster of what Dorothy Day called Roosevelt’s “platform of Cake and Circuses” does not equal sanctity.
Some of us echo Dorothy Day’s assessment that “social security legislation, now balled as a great victory for the poor and for the worker, is a great defeat for Christianity. It is an acceptance of the Idea of force and compulsion. It is an acceptance of Cain’s statement, on the part of the employer. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Of course, such words might make us, and her (recall, she was another of the saints in this contest), sound like lost souls like unto evil Republicans, but there you go again.
Dorothy Day’s ideas were more in the revolutionary anarchist tradition than Frances’s approach, to be sure. We need them all–hairshirt prophets, church-builders, poets, theologians, evangelists … and architects of a more gracious society.
What Sarah said.
That’s how we keep one another honest. Which, yes, sometimes involves some sinner-to-sinner ‘compelling’ rather than leaving things up to our sometimes shaky good graces.
Yes, we are to be our brother’s and sister’s keepers.
Acts 4:32-35
Acts 11:29
But, some of those who have wealth are like the rich man in Luke 16:19-31. And then you have the fact that not everyone is a Christian. A modern secular state needs to provide a social safety net or end up with massive numbers of poor starving homeless people who might be very accepting of the idea of overthrowing the government.
My mother has worked hard her entire life, but without Social Security she would have to work the rest of her life and never be able to retire. And without Medicare she would never have access to health insurance. (I’m finally close to finishing college after taking a “gap decade” after high school plus I’m single and childless and sibling-less too, so I’m in no position to help my mother.)
Yes. Miserere nobis. I am *very* disappointed.
Thank you for enlighenting my Lent! I enjoyed your “saintly” history lessons
greatly.
Wow, I am surprised! Now going back and research, read and delve into Francis Perkins life..Any golden halo saint deserves that attention. Thank you, Lent Madness, for such fun learning..loved meeting you all on line and stretching the theological roots! Happy Easter!
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.
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!
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.
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!
AMEN!
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!
Paranoia manifests as LMW closes in….I don’t think even SEC is the SEC anymore. The voice of “Scott Gunn” in the final official announcement video never once says, “That’s exactly right!”. Clearly an imposter!!
As for Maple Anglican, I am given to understand that anonymity is part of his schtick even outside LM so we may never know. As the contemporary hymn goes, “You don’t pull the mask off the ol’ Lone Ranger, and you don’t mess around with [him]”.
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.
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.
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!
A most sincere thank you to the organizers of Lent Madness for this very special event — and a special thanks to Heidi Shott for shepherding Mount Holyoke’s beloved Frances Perkins (class of 1902) through the brackets to the Golden Halo. Frances has been a role model for and an inspiration to generations of Mount Holyoke women of all faiths, and it’s been deeply gratifying to see the Lent Madness community learn more about her and her life of good work – work that has shaped our country and helped the most vulnerable in our society. Many of us here at Mount Holyoke have also learned a great deal during this past month; personally I was unaware of the role Frances’ deep faith played in her work — and how could I have not known about the bravery of someone like Jonathan Daniels?
Mount Holyoke women have long been known for their devotion to social justice, and I have no doubt Frances has been a large part of this tradition. We are so pleased and proud to see her win the Golden Halo. We always knew she was an extraordinary and special woman, and now others know it, too!
Great acceptance speech Mrs. P. I’m sure Luke couldn’t have done better. He’d probably have given us the Magnificat but without the “handmaiden” reference.
I do love that hymn also, not that I’ve ever been able to get through the last verse without choking up. Maybe if we sang it more often…looking at you director of music guy. 🙁
No parties at the US Department of Labor tonight . . . we’re doing what Frances would want us to be doing: working for America’s workers! This has been such a great experience. Thanks to the SEC and everyone who voted, blogged (Heidi!) and commented. So glad Frances Perkins is a part of your life now! Public service is a noble calling. Frances Perkins taught us that, and we try to make her proud every day.
And BTW, USDOL cannot take much credit for this victory. The wonderful people at the France Perkins Center, and the sheer force of will that is Mount Holyoke should get their due. And the New York State Department of Labor was the quiet powerhouse. Don’t forget, Frances was the state labor commissioner for Governor FDR before they both came to Washington.
My first Lent Madness year–I will miss it until we meet again.
Well, she knocked off my favorite in Lent Madness, Jonathan Daniels, so I’ll accept her victory and taking possession of the Golden Halo.
Thanks! This was very entertaining, educational, and a great way to have a Holy Lent that wasn’t such a drag.
i’m so glad that Frances won. after she knocked off MLK Jr i wanted her to go the distance. a most inspiring victory statement, too!
What an awesome tournament, er, event! Cinderella and popularity surprises at every turn.
For those Luke supporters – no worries – he will always win out for being recognized for his publications than Frances will.
I truly enjoyed this event, the upsets, surprises, disappointments, and joys (how like life!) and cannot wait until next year.
Thanks to all who made this a fun, educational event.
Well! I’m glad to see that “tired old biddies” are worth something in this world
And she’s already updated about Lent Madness on Wikipedia! Good job, out there! I didn’t know anything about FP before LM. I’m glad I found out. She’s a real inspiration, and I’m a devotee of the Lucan gospel!