Jane Addams, known as the “mother” of social work, was a pioneer American settlement activist, social worker, public philosopher, sociologist, author, and leader in both the women’s suffrage and world peace movements. Addams also helped America focus on and address issues that were of concern to mothers, such as the needs of children and local public health.

 

In her essay “Utilization of Women in City Government,” Jane Addams noted the connection between the workings of government and the household, and championed the belief that if women were to be responsible for cleaning up and reforming their communities, they needed to be able to vote to do so effectively.

 

Impressively, in 1889 she co-founded Hull House – a settlement community that opened its doors to recently arrived European immigrants, and in 1920 she became a co-founder of the ACLU.  For her dedication to the causes of justice, peace, equality, Addams became the first American woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931.

 

“True peace is not merely the absence of war, it is the presence of justice … The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life … In the unceasing ebb and flow of justice and oppression we must all dig channels as best we may, that at the propitious moment somewhat of the swelling tide may be conducted to the barren places of life … Action is indeed the sole medium of expression for ethics.” ~ Jane Addams

Filed under: In LOVE with Humanity by Scaughdt