DÍA DE LA PAZ. PEACE DAY: JANE ADDAMS.

          The House That Jane Built: 

         A Story About Jane Addams

 JANE ADDAMS

• Laura Jane Addams was born on September 6, 1860 in Cedarville, Iowa. She was the 8th of 9 children (only 5 lived to adulthood). Her mother died when Jane was 2 years old and her older sister cared for her. Her dad remarried when she was 7 years old. 
• Jane’s dad was a prosperous miller and merchant. He served in the Civil War, was elected to the state legislature and considered Abraham Lincoln to be a friend. 
• Jane had a spinal curve (scoliosis) which caused her pain for many years.
• Jane attended Rockford Female Seminary and graduated top of her class in 1884.
• Jane received a few marriage proposals but never married. 
• Jane was dedicated to improving the neighborhood surrounding Hull House and to serve as a resource for all its residents. Most of the earliest activities at the Hull House were for the benefit of children. 
• Jane was involved in many organizations over the years. Here are just a few: 
  • Founding member of the National Child Labor Committee 
  • Founding member of the Chicago Playground Association
  • Vice President of the Playground Association of America
  • Vice President of Campfire Girls
  • President of the National Conference of Charities and Corrections (president)
  • Vice President of the National American Woman Suffrage Association
  • President of the Women’s Peace Party 
  • President of the International Congress of Women 
  • President of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
• Jane was the first woman to receive an Honorary degree from Yale University. 
• Jane helped to establish the school of social work at University of Chicago, as well as the Chicago School of Civics and Philanthropy.  
• In the second half of her life, Jane became a pacifist and traveled internationally to try to prevent World War I. She eventually was alone in her opposition to war. But she never wavered. Then, she helped Herbert Hoover provide food and supplies to the women and children of enemy nations. 
• Jane was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931. She was the first American women to be granted the honor. She donated the prize money to the Hull House and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. 
• Jane was a prolific speaker and author — she wrote 11 books and many articles over the years.  
• Jane died of abdominal cancer in Chicago on May 21, 1935. 
• December 10 is Jane Addams Day in Illinois.