Illinois Authors

In 1896, Jane Addams addressed the plight of women in domestic labor with her speech "Belated Industry. Women engaged in domestic labor were the most powerless of laborers: many of them were immigrants with limited English skills who served with little legal protection or organizing possibilities. In her speech, Addams stated that her knowledge of domestic laborers came from her experience with the Woman's Labor Bureau, one of the many Hull House projects. She went on to address the powerlessness of domestic workers, who were isolated from outside social contact and under an overwhelming power relationship. Household workers had no way to meet others of their trade or to attain dignity as a group. Men in the same situation would have resented it, considering it impossible to give up their family and social ties while living under the roof of the household they worked for. Addams repeatedly gave recognition to the experiences of women she knew in an effort to have them participate in the social philosophy she was trying to foster.

A New Conscience and an Ancient Evil was published in 1912 by Jane Addams. This interactive digital edition includes: Interactive Notes and Chapters, News about the Author, News about the Book, a very interesting Tag cloud of the Book and a link to connect to the Goodreads community to ask questions and share comments and opinions.

Democracy and Social Ethics is a classic political science text by Jane Addams. It is well to remind ourselves, from time to time, that "Ethics" is but another word for "righteousness," that for which many men and women of every generation have hungered and thirsted, and without which life becomes meaningless.

Freeport, N.Y.,

Scholar's Choice, London : 2015.

As one of the four members of the inner circle at Hull-House, Julia Lathrop played an instrumental role in the field of social reform for more than fifty years. Working tirelessly for women, children, immigrants and workers, she was the first head of the federal Children's Bureau, an ardent advocate of woman suffrage, and a cultural leader. She was also one of Jane Addams's best friends. My Friend, Julia Lathrop is Addams' lovingly rendered biography of a memorable colleague and confidant. The memoir reveals a great deal about the influence of Hull-House on the social and political history of the early twentieth century. An introduction by long-time Addams scholar Anne Firor Scott provides a broader account of women's work in voluntary associations.

University of Illinois Press, Urbana : 2007.

"True peace is not merely the absence of war, it is the presence of justice. "Jane Addams, a pioneer in the realms of social reform and peace activism, presents a compelling vision for a world free from the shackles of war and strife. Published in 1907, during a time marred by global conflicts and social unrest, Addams' insights remain as relevant and poignant today as they were over a century ago.In this seminal text, Addams challenges the prevailing notions of her time, advocating for a holistic approach to peace that transcends mere cessation of hostilities. Drawing upon her experiences as a social worker and activist, she argues that true peace can only be achieved through fostering justice, equality, and cooperation among nations and individuals alike. With eloquence and passion, Addams underscores the interconnectedness of all humanity and the imperative of cultivating empathy and understanding across cultural divides.As we navigate the complexities of the modern world, Addams' ideas serve as a beacon of hope and wisdom. Her emphasis on the importance of grassroots movements, diplomatic dialogue, and collective action resonates deeply in an era marked by persistent geopolitical tensions and global challenges. Moreover, her advocacy for social justice and human rights reverberates with renewed urgency in the face of ongoing struggles for equality and dignity around the globe. Jane Addams's profound impact on society was not confined to the local sphere. Her tireless efforts to promote peace and social justice reverberated on the global stage, earning her the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize in 1931. She was the first American woman to receive the award. This recognition cemented her status as a towering figure in the pantheon of social reformers, a beacon of hope for those striving to create a more equitable world. Let us heed Addams' call to action and work together to build a future where peace prevails and humanity flourishes.

University of Illinois Press, Urbana : 2002.

Jane Addams was deeply opposed to World War One and its immense costs - social, moral, and financial. In this book she discusses her philosophy of pacifism, and her ideas for reform in the United States. Published in 1922, this book describes the author's feelings about the outbreak of war in Europe, and observing how the situation deteriorated as the terrible conflict wore on. The unceasing and vast expenditures of lives and materiel placed Addams in opposition to the USA joining the war, which led to her energetically lobbying for influence, delivering speeches, holding conferences and meetings to persuade officials against joining the maelstrom of destruction. Her anti-interventionist stance polarized Americans: some supported Addams' views, while others rebuked her. The author also shares her ideas on what societies should aim for with peace. Many of her opinions were inspired from experience; Addams' founded Hull House - a settlement house designed to unite the poor in cooperation with more fortunate members of society. The challenge she issues to the-then new League of Nations is to ensure that the citizens of all member nations are fed and afforded dignity, that the organization devote much of its resources to humanitarian causes which Addams' considered to transcend politics.

That Western men have been more responsive to women's demand for the right to perform their work for society is no doubt due to an instinctive desire on man's part to give back to woman her proper share in a society which more nearly conforms to a primitive division of labor than do the older and more artificial Eastern communities. Men in the West have been so much occupied with the natural male activities of breaking new ground, organizing new enterprises, general exploration and experimentation, that women have regained much of their original social importance to the community. The granting of woman suffrage in the Western states is part of the subconscious response of men to a great social need. There are left only three Western or Rocky Mountain states which have not enacted equal suffrage laws: Montana, Nevada and New Mexico; of these states Nevada is the only one which has no form whatever of suffrage for women, Montana having tax-paying and school suffrage and New Mexico having school suffrage. Nevada appears on the white map of the Western states as a big black spot entirely surrounded by the white suffrage states - California, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Arizona, with Washington, Wyoming. Colorado and Kansas contiguous, and Montana and New Mexico colored grey, indi eating the partial suffrage in operation there. The territory of Alaska recently granted woman suffrage, one of the chief reasons being the desire on the part of the men to bring in more women, as the male population is greatly preponderant there.

Jane Addams was a prolific and elegant writer. Her twelve books consist largely of published essays, but to appreciate her life work one must also read her previously uncollected speeches and editorials. This artfully compiled collection begins with Addams's youthful Junior Class Oration on women as "Breadgivers," features thoughtful examinations of topics as diverse as "Tolstoy and Gandhi" and "The Public School and the Immigrant Child," and even includes popular essays on "The Subtle Problems of Charity," from The Atlantic Monthly, and "Need a Woman Over Fifty Feel Old?" from Ladies' Home Journal. Along with the writings themselves, Elshtain's insightful commentary offers powerful evidence of Addams's remarkable ability to frame social problems in an ethical context, her unwillingness to succumb to ideological dogma, her political courage, and her lifelong devotion to civic and moral life.

University of Illinois Press, Urbana : 2002.

"The Long Road of Woman's Memory" by Jane Addams is a classic book that explores the role of women in society and the struggles they have faced throughout history. Addams, a prominent author and social reformer, delves into the concept of memory as a collective and personal experience for women, tracing the long road of their progress and achievements. She examines various aspects of women's lives, including their roles as caregivers, workers, and activists, and how their memories shape their sense of self and identity. Through her powerful storytelling and compelling arguments, Addams challenges societal norms and advocates for gender equality. She highlights the importance of recognizing and valuing women's contributions to society, urging readers to reflect on the past and strive for a more inclusive and equitable future. With her insightful and thought-provoking observations, Addams sheds light on the often overlooked experiences of women and offers a unique perspective on the ongoing fight for women's rights. "The Long Road of Woman's Memory" is a timeless book that continues to inspire and provoke discussions about gender roles and equality.

The Social Application of Religion

The Spirit of Youth and the City Streets was published in 1930 by Jane Addams. This ebook contains a detailed bibliography including all the publications of the Author. This interactive digital edition includes: Interactive Notes and Chapters, News about the Author, News about the Book, a very interesting Tag cloud of the Book and a link to connect to the Goodreads community to ask questions and share comments and opinions.

Dover Publications, Mineola, N.Y. : 2008.

Twenty Years at Hull House, the acclaimed memoir of social reformer Jane Addams, is presented here complete with all sixty-three of the original illustrations and the biographical notes. A landmark autobiography in terms of opening the eyes of Americans to the plight of the industrial revolution, Twenty Years at Hull House has been applauded for its unflinching descriptions of the poverty and degradation of the era. Jane Addams also details the grave ill-health she suffered during and after her childhood, giving the reader insight into the adversity which she would re-purpose into a drive to alleviate the suffering of others. The process by which Addams founded Hull House in Chicago is detailed; the sheer scale and severity of the poverty in the city she and others witnessed, the search for the perfect location, and the numerous difficulties she and her fellow activists encountered while establishing and maintaining the house are detailed. Eventually, after years of work, Hull House became a shining example of how intervention in the poorest slums could have remarkable results for the families concerned. Children who regularly attended Hull House enjoyed education and opportunities for creativity. Many went on to experience a prosperous adulthood thanks to the skills and tutoring they gained at the house. Today, Jane Addams is held as a great example of a pioneering spirit, whose social work and social assistance were greatly inspiring to the reforming administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt. The model Addams established with Hull House was imitated widely; by 1922, over five-hundred settlement houses had been founded across the United States.

University of Illinois Press, Urbana : ©2003.

In the midst of World War I, from April 28 to May 1, 1915, more than a thousand women from Europe and North America gathered in The Hague to discuss proposals for a peaceful end to the war. As one of the founders of the Woman's Peace Party, Jane Addams was among the attendees at the International Congress of Women, along with fellow social reformers and peace activists Emily G. Balch and Alice Hamilton. This book contains their journalistic accounts of the Congress's proceedings and results as well as their personal reflections on peace, war, politics, and the central role of women in the preservation of peace. Following the conference in The Hague, Addams and Balch traveled around Europe as members of delegations visiting various governmental leaders to demand an end to the war. In this book they describe the activities of these delegations, painting a vivid portrait of the emerging women's peace movement. With the continuing growth of the peace movement, the essays in Women at the Hague remain as timely as they were when first published in 1915. Addams, Balch, and Hamilton write compellingly about the organizing methods and collaborative spirit of the women's peace movement, conveying a strong awareness of the responsibility of women to protect the global community from the devastating effects of war.

Although Jane Addams's essays and books on peace are frequently cited, they have long been out of print and hard to find. For the first time, three of her books—Newer Ideals of Peace (1906), Women at the Hague: The International Congress of Women and Its Results (1915), and Peace and Bread in Time of War (1922)—have been reset and gathered together in this collection, along with a volume of her essays and speeches on peace.