Jane Addams - Part II

May 14, 2010

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In 1888, once Jane felt recovered from her depression, she decided to leave for Europe once again this time with her friends. While in London, Jane Addams and Ellen Starr discovered Toynbee Hall. It was located in one of London's slum's areas, and it served as a settlement house for people who didn't have the economic mediums to settle themselves.

Jane and her friend Ellen were inspired by the success of the English Settlement movement and became determined to establish a similar social settlement in Chicago.

They returned to Chicago and in 1889 they cofounded Hull House as a kindergarten and then a day nursery, an infancy care centre and a center for &#&continuing education&#& for adults. By 1893, the house was serving more than 2,000 people a week offering in addition to childs schooling, &#&adult education&#&, medical care, legal aid, child care, music, art, and drama to the underprivileged.

Jane along with different collaborators launched several new projects, eventually she became the first woman president of the National Conference of Charities and Corrections.

Always following her ideals and values, Jane founded, served and participated in many groups and associations working for a better world.

These activities were not always welcome by people in those days. Even though many times she was under criticism, Hull House continued to be successful.

She was morally opposed to war and as a pacifist she fought against it, continuing her efforts even when in 1917 the U.S. entered the war. Her activities to stop it caused her to be criticized, insulted and victim of calumnies. In spite of it she never surrendered and in 1919 she was elected the first president of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. She held that position until her death.

In 1926, Jane Addams suffered a heart attack. She would never fully recover her health, and on December 10, 1931, she entered a Baltimore hospital. Destiny is always waiting for us, just to give us curious surprises. That day, by fate the same day, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Jane Addams died on May 21, 1935, because of cancer. I hope she rests in peace.