to be extended
Jane Addams (1869-1935) is, perhaps, best known as a pioneering social
worker and social activist, however she was also a committed internationalist
and critical intellectual. She introduced and developed the idea of the
settlement house to the United States
(founding Hull House with Ellen Starr in 1889); campaigned for better social
conditions and led investigations into various areas of health and welfare. Jane
Addams saw
education as the foundation for democracy.
She also argued for women's suffrage and for the peaceful resolution of
international conflicts. Her pacifism led her to oppose US entry into the First
World War. After the cessation of hostilities she was active in organizing
relief supplies. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931, Jane Addams died in
1935.
Note: The full text of Twenty Years at Hull House is available on the Celebration of Women Writers site: Twenty Years at Hull-House with Autobiographical Notes
Acknowledgement: The picture of Jane Addams was taken in 1914 and is held by the Library of Congress and released into the public domain under a Creative Commons licence.
First published May 8, 1997. Last update: October 01, 2008
