This Week In American History: Jane Addams was born on September 6, 1860. She was a humanitarian who founded the Hull House in Chicago, civil rights activist who was a founder of the NAACP, and pacifist whose efforts saw her awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931 – the first American woman to receive the award.
Jane Addams’ Early Life
Jane Addams was born on September 6, 1860 in the small farming town on Cedarvile, Illinois to John Huy and Sarah Weber Addams. Although the eighth of nine children, only Addams and four of her other siblings survived infancy. Unfortunately, Addams’ mother passed away in childbirth two years into Addams’ life.
Jane Addams Attends College
Nonetheless, Addams grew up with many privileges people in her time did not. As the daughter of one of her town’s wealthiest citizens, Addams had access to opportunities many women did not make in the 1800s. For example, Addams attended college. She graduated at the top of her class from Rockford Female Seminary in 1881.
Jane Addams Decides To Bring A Settlement House To The States
Addams sought to use her education to serve the greater good of society. While in London with her friend Ellen Gates Starr in 1888, Addams visited Toynbee Hall, a settlement house on the East End that provided much needed services to London’s poor industrial workers. Addams decided she wanted to bring that model back to the United States. She had found her calling.
Jane Addams Opens Hull House
Addams and Starr founded Hull House in Chicago in 1889. Located on Chicago’s poor, industrial west side, it was the first settlement house in the United States. Addams and Starr sought for educated women to share all kinds of knowledge – from basic skills to arts and literature – with poorer people in the neighborhood. Furthermore, they pictured women living in the settlement house, directly among the people they served. Under Addam’s direction, the Hull House team established a kindergarten and daycare for working mothers; provided job training; English language; cooking and acculturation classes for immigrants; and established a job-placement bureau, community center, gymnasium, and art gallery.
Jane Addams Other Endeavors
Besides being fundamental in opening and running Hull House, Addams successfully lobbied for the establishment of a juvenile court system, better urban sanitation and factory laws, protective labor legislation for women, and more playgrounds and kindergartens throughout Chicago. Furthermore, in 1907 Addams assisted in founding the National Child Labor Committee which played a significant role in passing the Federal Child Labor Law in 1916. Addams led an initiative to establish a School of Social Work at the University of Chicago which created institutional support for a new profession for women. She also served as president of the National Conference of Charities and Corrections from 1909-1915 – the first women to hold that title. Unsurprisingly, Addams became active in the woman’s suffrage movement. She became an officer in the National American Women’s Suffrage Association (NAWSA). She also assisted in founding the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
Jane Addams & Her Fight For International Peace
During World War I, Addams found her second life calling: promoting international peace. As an avowed pacifist, Addams protested the US’ entry into World War I. Addams believed human beings could resolve disputes without violence. She joined a group of woman peace activists who toured the warring nations, hoping to bring about peace. Addams headed the Women’s Peace Party in 1915. Shortly afterwards she became president of the International Congress of Women. Addams wrote articles and gave speeches internationally promoting peace. She helped found the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom in 1919. Addams served as its president until 1929. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts towards international peace in 1931 – the first American woman to receive the award.
Jane Addams Passes Away
Addams died on May 21, 1935.
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Info Source: WomensHistory.org
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons
