Becoming Madam Secretary is set against the backdrop of early- to mid-20th-century America, a period of significant social, economic, and political transformation. The story begins in the Progressive Era (1890s-1920s), a period characterized by widespread social activism and political reform. This era saw the rise of women’s suffrage movements, labor rights advocacy, and efforts to address urban poverty and corruption. Frances Perkins’s early career as a social worker and labor rights advocate is firmly rooted in this progressive tradition.

The labor movement and the struggle for workers’ rights form another crucial context for the novel. Events like the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911 galvanized public opinion and led to significant reforms in labor laws. The novel depicts the ongoing tensions between workers, employers, and the government, reflecting the real historical struggles of the American labor movement. Additionally, the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920 granted women the right to vote, but women still faced significant barriers in professional and political spheres. Frances’s appointment as cabinet member in 1933 was groundbreaking and emblematic of the gradual progress being made in women’s rights, as she was the first woman to serve in a presidential cabinet in the United States.