Becoming Madam Secretary

by Stephanie Dray

“Because many people in America believe poverty is a moral problem having to do with sloth or some other sin we can blame on individuals. But I believe poverty in America is an economic problem that can be solved…and I intend to solve it.”

Those pillars of rectitude wanted to feed only so-called worthy children, but a corrupt Irish boss helped when no one else would, and I wouldn’t soon forget it.

Mrs. Kelley patted my cheek with the motherly affection I’d craved all my life. “My dear girl, making a few enemies is how you know you’re doing things right.”

Thus, I’d never known true fear. Or true grief. Or that both needed to be shared…

It solved nothing, but still, we cleaved to each other. Then went together for Christmas mass. There, we lit candles for the two little angels we had lost. We prayed together. And God, in His infinite mercy, gave us grace. For there in that church, I was reminded that marriage was for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part. And we were both still very much alive.

“It’s my belief that if you women had an equal share in making the laws, then the unspeakable conditions in tenements and the neglect of the poor would never have come about in the first place.”

I also wish to take this opportunity to remind you that the American experiment has repeatedly proved that people fleeing tyranny make grateful citizens—decent, hardworking, and productive. We’ve reaped tangible benefits by taking in scientists, artists, inventors, and entrepreneurs.

And yet even the immigration application of Albert Einstein has faced opposition by your State Department, though any country in the world would be lucky to have him.”

As my grandmother always said, When in doubt, do what’s right.

“Well, my best advice is this,” she said. “Deny it, dismiss it, or diminish it with laughter. When you know to laugh and to look upon things as too absurd to take seriously, the other person is ashamed to carry through even if he was serious about it.” Then Eleanor added, “Also, refreshments help.”

FDR gently suggested, “If you can’t pray about Mary, then just pray about something. Anything. Talk to God about how to move forward with strong and active faith to revolutionize the country with the Social Security Act.” Maybe I would. After all, God only knew how the bill would ever get passed. It will take a miracle, I thought. And in the end, a miracle is what we got…

As has been noted by others, she is the most consequential cabinet officer since Alexander Hamilton.