Jane Addams (1860–1935)

Interesting historically. Addams was an assimilationist who spoke fairly respectfully about Southern European and Jewish traditions; a reformer who sought government by experts but also the franchise for women; a believer that labor rights mattered and that bad conditions produced bad behavior rather than the reverse; and a condemner of prostitution who both thought that many women were tricked or coerced into sex work and that sex work ruined any woman who engaged in it such that other “good” people were justified in excluding them from polite society no matter how repentant they were.… (más)

As the title says, this book chronicles two decades in the life of Hull House, founded in Chicago by Jane Addams. Addams talks about her own life to the extent that it inspired her to build the house, and about the life of the house and its members. The house became a refuge for new arrivals to Chicago, a place for youth to gather safely, and a place where the traditions of immigrants' home countries could be showcased and passed down to new generations.

The actual work done by Hull House is valuable and important, and it is inspiring these days to read about initiatives that bring people together. I did find this something of a slog, though. Lots of long, dense paragraphs and long chapters. Definitely one for the dedicated reader rather than the casual one.

I read this after seeing it mentioned in The Women of the Copper Country, by Mary Doria Russell.… (más)

Written in the early 1900s, this is the story of the beginnings of Social Services in America. Jane Addams tells not only about her experiment with Hull House, but about her philosophy of what social service is or can be, the need for it and some of the episodes with the people she helped. It is quite dry, more of an intellectual observation than a personal story. I admire her for trying to stay clear of being identified with or owned by other social movements of the times. Still, I couldn't finish this book. More my problem than a problem with the book, but it didn't involve me in it, too much observation and not enough personal experiences I suppose. I quit reading about half way through.… (más)