Becoming Madam Secretary

Content Warning: This section discusses alcohol addiction, mental illness, suicidal ideation, and death of a loved one.

By December 1926, Frances and Paul have begun to bicker constantly. Despite prohibition, Paul still drinks frequently, upsetting Frances, as she’s worried about a reoccurrence of a depressive episode of his bipolar disorder. On Susanna’s 10th birthday, Frances and Paul have another fight about his drinking, which Frances eventually gives up in order to not spoil the day for their daughter. Frances is also dealing with local political drama. Following his loss of the Democratic nomination, Al Smith has become invested in local New York politics. However, the candidate he’s chosen to endorse for New York City mayor is involved in a sex scandal, as he’s currently in the process of leaving his wife for his mistress.

After pressure from Tammany Hall, the mayoral candidate’s wife returns to him. Frances also feels pressure from the Catholic Church, as they’ve recently begun to agitate against her reforms, saying that they “violate the sanctity of the family” (248). Frances feels trapped by Florence Kelley, who has accused Al, Frances’s boss, of being in the pocket of the Catholic lobby.

One day, Frances receives a call from her family telling her that her mother has to move in with her and Paul, as nobody else is able to take care of her at the moment.