Mrs. Perkins' Flowers for Saxophone Quartet (2024) was composed during a move to Ann Arbor, MI, reflecting a personal and historical exploration. Inspired by lesser-known historical figures, the piece initially served as an ode to Frances Perkins, the first woman in a U.S. Presidential cabinet. However, deeper research revealed patterns in her life that reshaped the composition’s direction. As Secretary of Labor, Perkins was heavily criticized while championing major reforms, including the 40-hour workweek, the ban on child labor, workplace equality, and Social Security. Despite her pivotal role in the New Deal and middle-class development during the Great Depression, she remained under appreciated. She later served in Truman’s Civil Service Commission and as a Cornell professor. A defining moment influencing the music’s structure was the day she signed the Social Security Act, simultaneously learning that her mentally ill husband had gone missing. She attended the signing before rushing to find him in New York City. Perkins was later buried in Newcastle, Maine, under her married name. A childhood visit to her homestead unexpectedly connected the composer to her legacy, making Mrs. Perkins' Flowers both a tribute and a personal reflection on New England before relocating.