This article was written by Anastasia Kustselik of Richard Montgomery HS
Amongst other women in history, Jane Addams was involved with various key events and movements that progressed society to where it is now. She had such a huge impact that she’s mentioned in the National Women's History Museum. Jane had grown up in a small town, but her father was well-known and wealthy, so she had a privileged upbringing. From a young age she had a sense of social mission and she loved working in her community. She gained a good education, graduating as a top student.
Her most famous action was founding the Hull House. It was founded by Jane and her friend, Ellen Gates Star, in 1889. Later, they formed a group consisting of more women: Florence Kelley, Dr. Alice Hamilton, Julia Lathrop, Sophonisba Breckinridge and Edith Abbott. The house, located in the poor industrial side of Chicago, was made to benefit the poor with educated women as teachers. She created the first social settlement house in the United States. The settlement houses in other countries were actually given as housing to the middle class; some were religiously affiliated. The Hull House provided basics like beginning education for young kids, job training and more. This house turned into a complex of several buildings, creating a community for the poor and simultaneously providing them support. This community was also involved with various movements such as Immigrants’ Protective league, Juvenile Protective Association and more. These advocations for various purposes paid off as their efforts are seen in the creation of Federal Child’s Bureau (1912) and passage of Federal Child Labor Law (1916).
Besides the Hull House, Addams participated in various movements and protests for laws. Alongside other activist women, she fought for the establishment of a juvenile court system, factory laws, more playgrounds and schools for children. She was also a member of the National Child Labor Commitee (NCLC) in 1907. NCLC reached their goal of ending child labor; they also fought and got children the right to education as well. Jane led the start of School of Social Work at University of Chicago, made to support women in a new profession. This program turned into Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice, preparing students to become strong social workers to help others in every field. Most importantly she was an active suffragist officer in the National Woman's Suffrage Association. She advocated not only for children and women, but also for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
Aside from advocating for rights, she advocated for peace, as she was a firm believer in pacifism. She joined women in promoting peace in warring countries. She was a part of the National Women's Congress. She became head of the Women's Peace Party. Besides being head of various peace groups, she herself traveled around delivering speeches to crowds to promote rights. On top of this, she wrote articles in newspapers. The Women's Peace Party later turned into the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) in 1919. WILPF still exists today in modern life, and they have a website that still advocates for peace and freedom. They provide lots of information on recent activities to help reach peace from war around the world, and hold campaigns and peaceful marches. All her efforts and founding organizations for matters she cared the most for led to her becoming the first woman in the United States to win a Nobel Peace Prize.
Jane Addams assisted in and created various organizations in her lifetime that affect ours today. These organizations gave women today various rights and freedoms. Colored people gained the rights they have today, but still haven’t finished their equal rights journey. Child labor was banned and children gained their right to education. Whether she was involved directly or indirectly with these organizations, with other women, she helped shape the U.S. and the world to how it is today. She didn’t fight for nothing, as in the end she made a huge impact in the world.
Comments