How Did Jane Adddams Established The Framework For Our Current Standards Of Social Reform

Adriana Ugalde 5/1/24 Hist/Woms 300.

The Progressive Era can be defined as a period of widespread social reform between the late 19th and early 20th century. Across the U.S., individuals and organizations mobilized to tackle issues such as poverty and inequality. The Progressive Era established the framework for our current standards of social welfare, reflecting a shared commitment to fostering positive change and improving the lives of ordinary citizens. Jane Addams, Francis Willard and Margaret Sanger leveraged their leadership, in order to create platforms and resources for their advocacy. Women reformers were at the forefront of providing aid to vulnerable populations and addressing gender specific issues. Jane Addams was a key Progressive

Jane Addams was particularly disturbed by the disgusting and inhumane conditions that existed within Chicago tenement housing. She possessed immense compassion for the immigrant women who were uprooted from their homes and forced to live in squalor. In response, Addams wanted to create a sanctuary for this population: providing a better quality of life and ensuring that their basic needs were met. Thus, she collaborated with fellow activist Ellen Gates, Starr, in order to compile resources and ideas for this immense project. In 1889, they established Hull House in Chicago, a groundbreaking settlement house that would serve as a transformative force in American society. This institution became a sanctuary for women from various social backgrounds, offering them a haven where they could access education, support, and a sense of community. Addams’ exposure to European culture inspired her model for the Hull House. While traveling abroad, she was exposed to the concept of settlement housing. This experience inspired her to create a similar institution upon arriving back in the U.S. Within the Hull House, women found not only practical assistance but also a space for socializing,

The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union was a driving force in Progressive Reform and set a standard for ordinary women to participate in political activism. After the Civil War, there was an increase in violence at saloons and perpetrated by husband against wife. In response, a national temperance movement began with local groups of women organizing to support prohibition. The establishment of the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) in 1874 marked a significant turning point, as women across the nation united in their support for temperance and rallied for legislative measures to curtail the manufacture and sale of alcohol. The WCTU believed that alcohol abuse was a major factor contributing to domestic violence. By advocating for prohibition, they aimed to eliminate one of the primary causes of violence against women. Francis Willard played a crucial role in advancing the advocacy and impact of the WCTU. In 1879, Willard was appointed the president of the WCTU and extended its mission far beyond temperance. Willard recognized that alcohol abuse was intertwined with many other social problems, including poverty,