Jane Addams: From Life To Social Reform

Throughout the 19th century and during the early 20th century, America’s working class endured hazardous and unsanitary labor conditions. After a long day of work, industrial laborers would return to their homes that offered anything but comfort. Many of the workers, especially immigrants, lived in slums, where their needs were not met and disease spread easily. It took a group of journalist called muckrakers, such as Jane Addams and Upton Sinclair, to bring attention to labor and living conditions and make a difference. President Theodore Roosevelt coined the name muckrakers, because they “raked the mud of society” by uncovering and reporting the nation’s issues. Jane Addams cofounded Hull-House, which attracted reformers that were committed to social service, challenged boss rule and the
Jane Addams was one of the most well-respected of the first-generation of college-educated women, and decided to give up having a family to dedicate her life to social reform. In 1889, Addams, who was inspired by English reformers who intentionally lived in lower-class areas, and her college friend, Ellen Starr, moved into a mansion in a Chicago immigrant neighborhood. This house became known as Hull-House, which is where Addams resided for the rest of her life, and where much philanthropy and political action took place. Hull-House became an example for poor settlement work. Addams valued the needs of the poor and took notice to the fact that the streets were filthy, there were not enough schools, sanitary legislation was not enforced, lighting was poor, paving lack quality or lacked completely, and the stables were disgusting. She responded to these conditions by organizing a nursery, dispensary, kindergarten, playground, gymnasium, and cooperative housing for the young working women of the community. However, she quickly discovered that the neighborhood could