The daughter of a prosperous Illinois businessman, Jane Addams longed to do something meaningful with her life, yet she found herself shut out of most professions because of her gender. In 1889, she decided to use her inheritance from her late father to found the pioneering settlement house, Hull House, where she and a dedicated staff of volunteers most of them college-educated women like herself lived and worked among some of Chicago's most destitute residents. Through her efforts, Addams became one of the most celebrated women in U.S. history. A tireless social and political reformer, feminist, and antiwar activist, Addams was also the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Learn more about her inspiring life in Jane Addams.
Covering noted historic and contemporary figures in the arts, business, sports, entertainment, politics, sciences, and social advocacy, among other fields, Women of Achievement profiles women who have made significant and influential contributions to their professions and to the world at large. Each book in the series gives students a complete overview of the subject's life, as well as insight into her professional and personal motivations, while also providing historical context to her achievements.
1 The Highest Possibilities of the Human Spirit" 7
2 Her Father's Daughter 12
3 An Educated Woman 26
4 Searching for Useful Work 42
5 The Founding of Hull House 57
6 America's Foremost Woman 73
7 Saint Jane Becomes Controversial 88
8 Final Years and Legacy 102
Chronology 112
Notes 114
Bibliography 118
Further Resources 119
Picture Credits 120
Index 121
About the Author 126
Overview
The daughter of a prosperous Illinois businessman, Jane Addams longed to do something meaningful with her life, yet she found herself shut out of most professions because of her gender. In 1889, she decided to use her inheritance from her late father to found the pioneering settlement house, Hull House, where she and a dedicated staff of volunteers most of them college-educated women like herself lived and worked among some of Chicago's most destitute residents. Through her efforts, Addams became one of the most ...