Jane Addams By Stevie Croisant 8 th Grade Putnam County Junior High McNabb, Illinois March 2006

Jane’s Childhood Jane was the daughter of Illinois state senator John Huy Addams. Her mother passed away when Jane was only 2. She suffered from a congenital spinal defect when she was younger and could not play like other children. Jane grew up in Cedarville, Illinois.

Her High School and College Life Finished high school when she was 17 Attended Rockford Seminary Wanted to go to Smith College to get a degree Rockford Seminary did not offer a degree, only a certificate. She was very popular among her classmates. She joined the debating team, was college magazine editor, president of the literature society, and the president of her class. Graduated in 1881 at the top of her class. Attended Medical School but dropped out.

Jane’s Struggles Jane’s mother died when Jane was only two. Jane attended several colleges, but dropped out when her family told her it was “unlady-like.” Jane suffered from severe back pains which cost her a year of rest and idleness. She was expelled from a peace keeping organization for “taking too much of a violent stand and opposing what we believe.” Jane never married or had any children.

Jane’s Trip to Europe Jane visited the Toynbee Hall in 1883 after graduating. She said it was her inspiration for the Hull house. The Toynbee Hall was like the Hull House in many ways because it was a building that gave aid to Europe’s poor and homeless people.

What Others Thought of Her President Franklin D. Roosevelt once called Jane Addams "Chicago's most useful citizen.” In 1919, she was a concern for the US and labeled the most dangerous woman in America.

The Hull House Jane Addams and her friend Ellen Star opened the Hull House in Chicago in The Hull house was a place for immigrants in the early 1900’s to make friends and learn the new English language. The Hull House served over 1,000 immigrants a week and offered over 50 different services.

Hull House The Hull House took in new American citizens like the Greeks, Italians, Russians, Polish, Polish Jews, and Bohemians. The Hull House provided services such as daycares, schooling, libraries, art galleries, service bureaus, and music lessons.

People Involved With the Hull House Several of Chicago’s most prominent people helped in constructing the Hull House. These people were Jane Addams, Florence Kelly, Charles Hull, Alice Hamilton, Julia Lathrop, Ellen Gates Starr, and Grace and Edith Abbott.

The Hull House Now The Hull House is now part of the University of Illinois campus. Most of the furniture used by Jane Addams is still in use. The old dining hall is now used by the University for meetings. The Hull House was declared a national landmark on June “In my opinion, none of the national historical landmarks better signifies the achievements of the past while pointing the way to a brighter future for our cities than does Hull House,” states Dr. Murray H. Nelligan, the man that awarded Hull House a bronze plaque for its outstanding achievements.

Ways Jane Helped Children Started first boy scout troop in her area Helped build first children’s playground Helped get Chicago to build a public pool Jane loved children

Laws Passed Because of Jane 1903 she passed a strong child labor law Federal Children’s Bureau in 1912 Federal Child Labor Law in 1916 Factory Inspection Law Established juvenile courts in 1899

Works Created By Jane Addams She wrote Twenty Years at Hull House in 1910, telling about her experiences and how Hull House came to be. The Second Twenty Years At the Hull House The Spirit of Youth and the City Streets A Centennial Reader

National American Women Suffrage Association This group tried to get women equal rights, such as voting. Jane was the first female vice-president of this group in This group was started by famous women’s rights activist Susan B. Anthony. Helped US pass the 19 th Amendment, giving women the right to vote

NAACP Jane Addams was the founder of the NAACP. The NAACP stands for the N ational A ssociation for the A dvancement of C olored P eople. The NAACP was an organization for African Americans. This group was most famous in the 1950’s during the civil rights movement.

Her Nobel Prize Jane Addams won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1931, for her outstanding service for women’s rights, the Hull house, National Conference of Social Work, National American Suffrage Alliance, and so much more. She was the first American female Nobel Prize winner.

Jane’s Death Jane died on May 21, 1935 in Chicago. She was buried in her hometown of Cedarville.

Timeline of Jane’s Achievements 1905 appointed Chicago's Board of Education and chairman of School Management Committee 1905 elected first woman at the National Conference of Social Work 1909 President Theodore Roosevelt asked Jane to come to a conference concerning childcare for dependent children 1910 first female president of the National Conference of Charities and Corrections 1911 first vice-president of National American Women suffrage Association 1915 organized the Women's Peace Party and the International Congress of women 1919 first president of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom 1931 only social worker awarded the Nobel Peace Prize

What I Think of Jane Addams Most people refer to Jane Addams as the woman who started the Hull House. Most do not know of the many other amazing achievements she accomplished during her life. I believe that if Jane would have became a proper lady like her father wanted, America would be a whole different nation. In the early 1900’s people discriminated against immigrants just because of their complexion. Jane made it possible for these people to understand our American culture and society. These immigrants were able to come to their new country and enjoy their new lives. They could go to work and still make sure their kids were safe because of Jane’s daycare facilities.

What I Think of Jane Addams Also, the NAACP was a very good group in the 1950’s during Dr. Martin Luther King’s time. They made sure the African Americans were supported. Without Jane’s will to make such a useful organization many riots would have broken out because of racism. Jane Addams was a very intelligent woman that made a huge difference in our world. If she would have chosen just to sit back and not do any of the amazing things she did, our nation might still be racist against other people or groups. I believe Jane Addams helped our country in many ways.

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