When Mikhail Gorbachev came into power in 1985, Biryukova entered the highest level of soviet politics by becoming Deputy Chair of the All-Union Central Council of Trade Unions. In 1986, Gorbachev selected Biryukova at the 27th Congress of the Communist Party as a lead on what would become perestroika. She became the first woman elected to the Secretariat of the CPSU in over 20 years, and was responsible for the light industry and production of consumer goods. She was also made a deputy to the USSR Supreme Soviet and the RSFSR Supreme Soviet.