Twenty Years at Hull-House

Jane Addams (1860-1935) was an American activist, social worker, sociologist, feminist, and author born in Illinois. Addams was very active in her community as a leader in the women's suffrage movement, and an advocate for the poor and immigrants. She co-founded the Hull House, a settlement home, which hosted educational courses for children as well as adults, medical facilities, and an art gallery amongst its many programs and efforts to better the Chicago community. Addams also founded the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to provide legal assistance and protect civil rights. In 1931, Addams became the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.