The Progressive Era and Jane Addams

1203 Words3 Pages

The progressive era was a time of enormous changes that flourished in the United States. Activists demanded a reform in education, technology, science, and Democracy. Purification of government was the main goal, and it was during this time that progressives made “scientific” the social sciences, especially history, economics and political sciences (http://www.iep.utm.edu). It was also during this era (1890’s-1920’s) that the Federal Reserve System was founded. The 16th through 19th amendments, the Food and Drug Act, and Federal Trade Commission were also put into play. It wasn’t until World War I that such drastic change started to slow. Amidst all this change existed an amazing woman by the name of Jane Addams; a political activist and pragmatist whom made enormous social and economic changes to the United States. It wasn’t until the late 20th century however that she was properly recognized as one of the most influential philosophers and sociologists of her time (http://americanhistory.unomaha.edu).
Jane Adams was born in 1860 in the town of Cedarville, Illinois. She was born into a wealthy and politically prominent family, the last in line of 8 siblings. Jane’s father John Huey Addams was a political activist and served as an Illinois State Senator from 1885-1870. He also supported his friend Abraham Lincoln in his candidacies for Senator and the Presidency in 1860. Jane’s mother and four of her sibling had passed away by the time Jane was four, and it was around this same time that Jane was diagnosed with Potts disease; an illness that left her with a curved spine and lifelong health problems (http://plato.stanford.edu).
The misfortunes Jane was given early in life didn’t alter her passionate thinking. As a child she ...

... middle of paper ...

...er contributions to society to a 5 page paper. She did amazing things to improve society as a whole. During her lifetime she was an, author, philosopher, women and children’s rights activist, humanitarian, scholar, sociologist, social worker, social leader, and founder of many programs still in place today. Her ideas continue to influence social, political and economic reform all over the world. I think it would be fair to say it is a blessing she was born in a time that made her type of work more difficult. She worked tirelessly to produce much needed changes that we benefit from today. Often times as Americans we take for granted the freedoms and protections are given to us, not taking into consideration the backbone that was necessary to make them happen. I am thankful for the opportunity to study and become more familiar with such an amazing woman of history.

Open Document