Jane Addams Biography

Jane Addams was a renowned social activist and pacifist, who co-founded a settlement named Hull House in Chicago. Her father, being a state senator himself was an influential personality and knew many illustrious people like Abraham Lincoln. She was also a pioneer in women’s suffrage movement and fought for a number of cause involving women and children. This public philosopher was hailed as the nation’s mother, who also toiled for world peace. For her extensive contribution to the global society at large, Addams was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and was the first American woman to have received this award. Apart from this, Addams and her friend documented social illnesses such as typhoid and tried to alleviate the sufferings of poor who were affected more by the disease due to inadequate sanitation and hygiene. She appealed to the women from the middle-class for what she termed “civic housekeeping”. This inspiring settlement worker contracted Potts’ Disease when she was four, so she was plagued with health problems throughout her life. She suffered a heart attack in her final years, after which her health steadily began to deteriorate. This celebrated peace lover breathed her last in Illinois. Read on to know more about this inspirational social worker and political campaigner’s life and career.