Jane Addams History courses mention little if anything about Jane Addams; they should mention much, as she was an amazing lady. Born September 6, 1860, in Cedarville, Illinois, to a well-known legislator, Jane Addams had the opportunity to travel. This also gave her the opportunity to see "slum-type" areas of cities where children grew up. At a young age, Jane felt a compassion for these children. This compassion forced a drive in her to do something about these grotesque living conditions. As Jane grew, she continued this need of hers to do something worthwhile to benefit human life. To eliminate or at least alleviate the poor quality of life people were living, was to be the beginning of her foremost goal. While traveling in London, she saw something that would change her life forever. Jane saw Toynbee Hall; a place for the less fortunate. Toynbee Hall was a building that had a library, swimming pool, gym, and countless activities. Toynbee Hall was right in the center of one of the poorest parts in London. Ideas flooded Jane. She felt somehow she could set something like this up in America. She confided her idea to her good friend Ellen Star who was also a humanitarian. This was the beginning of what was to be a life-long effort of dedication to children and remarkable success for Jane. Jane Addams found the perfect building right in the middle of one of Chicago poorest areas, the 19th Ward. On September 18, 1889, Jane purchased this building (which was really a mansion) from Charles Hull, giving her it's name; Hull House. Hull House was a place where people could go to escape from their pitiful living conditions. Jane wanted the house mostly for children. She wanted them to live and play in a clean and healthy environment. Once this vision was accomplished, this would appease her haunting memory of children playing in disease-infested trash. At Hull House, Jane started Chicago's first kindergarten and day-care for children of working mothers with the help of volunteer Jenny Dow. They organized girls clubs, boys clubs and countless activities to keep the children in a healthy environment and off of the dirty streets. Hull House offered various types of lessons for children and adults including piano and art. Jane placed her own collection of arts and treasures from all of her places of travel throughout the house. She felt that everyone deserved the chance to see, know, and be in the presence of beauty. During the middle of the night, while Jane was sleeping in her room she heard a burglar sneak through her window. She told him to be quiet and not wake her nephew, and then, when he was going to leave using the window once again she told him to use the front door, it's unlocked. Another time when she caught a different burglar after talking to him a bit she told him to come back tomorrow and she'd find him a job, he did and she did. By word of mouth, people learned of Hull House and the various classes and lectures given. Training of American citizenship and training for skilled labor soon took place. Health clinics were also offered there. Immunization shots and medical care was given to anyone in need. The doors were always open. Many things at once were always happening at Hull House and the more Jane did the better she felt. By the year 1900 there were over 100 of these settlement houses in the United States. Hull House became an affirmative alternative to being on the streets and in the saloons. Jane was happy with Hull House and the positive results of it, but by the same token, was saddened by what was happening outside in the streets. She constantly complained to the city officials about the poor garbage system in Chicago. To quiet her, the mayor made her the official garbage inspector. To their surprise, Jane took her appointment very seriously. She followed trash wagons to make sure that they picked everything up. If they dared not, she became tough and persistent. Jane liked the results she got. She went as far as taking landlords who didn't keep their garbage contained, to court and made sure all dead animals were removed from the streets. Jane didn't stop there, she worked on many more important projects for many causes. Jane worked for political campaigns, raised money for Hull House, lobbied for child-labor laws and workman's compensation laws. She acted as go-between in striking situations, compromising to find peace and end strikes. Jane spoke in public for many causes including women's pension laws and housing laws. She wrote books telling and explaining Hull House and it's effect on working women, children and poverty. She headed up playgrounds throughout Chicago and tore down dilapidated buildings. In 1906 Jane belonged to the National American Women's Suffrage Association and fought for the right of women and Black people to vote, and in 1911 she was made Vice President of the association. In 1909 Jane became a member of the newly formed National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Jane supported Teddy Roosevelt's new party campaign, and in 1914, during World War I, she was a strong advocate for peace. In 1931 Jane was finally awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Jane Addams had many accomplishments in her lifetime, but her greatest achievement would have to be her lifelong effort at Hull House with its astounding impact on American children and their education. In Jane's helping to meet the basic needs of a person, such as comfort, safety, rest, nutrition, medicinal care, friends, and love while providing educational instruction, she made it possible for children to use their abilities and talents to learn and have an education. Jane offered hope for lives that were destined for destitution. She was a giant in her lifetime and would have given of herself in any lifetime. Jane benefited women, children and all of humankind because of her dedication and love of the human race. prepared by Melanie Valenti References: 1.Peace and Bread The Story of Jane Addams, Stephanie Sammartino McPherson 2.Jane Addams Pioneers in Change, Leslie a. Wheeler 3.Jane Addams, World Neighbor, Gilbert