DAMARISCOTTA — The Lincoln County Democratic Committee is hosting two experts on the labor movement at its monthly meeting, set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27.

The meeting will be in a hybrid format. Participants can join at the Newcastle Fire Station, 86 River Road, or attend on Zoom.

Giovanna Gray Lockhart is the executive director of the Frances Perkins Center. Submitted photo

Guest speakers are Giovanna Gray Lockhart, executive director of the Frances Perkins Center (an organization dedicated to workers’ rights advocate Frances Perkins), and Cynthia Phinney, president of the Maine AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations).

Lockhart will present an overview of Perkins (the first woman to serve in a U.S. presidential cabinet), who was secretary of labor for the entire tenure of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency, according to a news release from the Carol Preston with the committee.

Cynthia Phinney is the president of the Maine AFL-CIO. Submitted photo

Perkins was the driving force behind the groundbreaking New Deal programs on which Americans still rely — Social Security, unemployment insurance, the 40-hour work week, and the minimum wage. She spent summers throughout her life at her ancestral family homestead in Newcastle, now the nonprofit, nonpartisan Frances Perkins Center.

Lockhart will address Perkins’ historical work and the recent designation of the center as a National Historic Landmark.

In addition, Lockhart will speak about what is available for residents who want to visit the center and provide an overview of its programmatic work.

Phinney will discuss the importance of the AFL-CIO’s policy work to protect workers and maintain the social safety net that Perkins championed. She will highlight important bills at both the state and federal level and discuss how folks can get involved.

Phinney was present at the White House for President Joe Biden’s official designation of the Frances Perkins Homestead in December. She is a member of IBEW 1837 and the first woman elected as President of the Maine AFL-CIO in 2015.

All Lincoln County Democrats and unenrolled progressives are welcome to attend. The committee voting members will automatically receive the Zoom log on information and reminders by email. Those interested in becoming a voting member must be a registered Democrat in Lincoln County and may make their interest known by indicating so at the in-person meeting, on the meeting registration form at lincolncountydemocrats.com/meet, or by emailing info@lincolncountydemocrats.com.

Registration for the meeting is required for non-voting members who want to receive Zoom log on and/or phone-in details. Register before noon the day of the meeting to ensure access. The committee will do its best to accommodate last-minute registrations.

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