Original September 14, 1948 typed letter personally signed by Frances Perkins, Franklin D. Roosevelt's Secretary of Labor and the first woman appointed to a U.S. presidential cabinet. Perkins thanks Mr. Hathaway for beautiful white dahlias grown in his garden, mentioning Mrs. Trimble in her message. A fine example of personal correspondence from a pioneering American government official who helped shape New Deal labor reforms and Social Security. Measures approximately 8" × 5.5", with a large ink signature, age toning, light spotting, and pencil identification on the reverse.