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Frances PerkinsFrances Perkins
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I can't tell whether this conference of Grace Abbott's in Washington took place in December or January, but it was around that time. It was winter. Grace was obviously anxious to have me make a good speech. I was very anxious too, because we had a new administration coming in and we wanted to stir up the people and the women's organizations to get ready to demand of the new administration certain immediate provision for care of the people who were down and out as a result of the depression. The children's conference was as good a place to hang it on as any. It gave me a fine opportunity to make a speech.

I was very well received. I remember that Grace was quite excited and was dressed up, which was very unusual for her. There was kind of an air of excitement about her, and Mary Anderson, who was head of the Woman's Bureau, and one or two other people. I said, “How are things going to be?”

“Oh,” they said, “you just can't imagine how wonderful it's going to be. How were looking forward to this change! It's just been terrible. The last four years have been awful. Now, at least, there is going to be somebody in the White House who is sympathetic to our point of view. We can do something.”

I remember saying, “Well, of course, it's an awfully





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