Jane Addams

An American pragmatist and feminist, Hull-House founder Jane Addams (1860-1935) came of age in time of increasing tensions and division between segments of the American society, a division that was reflected in debates about educational reform. In the midst of this diversity, Addams saw the profoundly interdependent nature of all social and political interaction, and she aligned her efforts to support, emphasize and increase this interdependence. Education was one of the ways she relied on to overcome class disparity, as well as to increase interaction between classes. Her theories about the interdependent nature of living in a democracy provided a backdrop for her educational theory. Education, she thought, needed to produce people who were capable of living together and learning from each other (Addams 12-36). Jane Addams, a pragmatist and a utilitarian, spent her life educating others about social reform/care ethics and defending the rights of women in society.

Nearly a century before the beginning of "multiculturalism," Jane Addams put forward her conception of the moral significance of diversity. Each member of a democracy, Addams believed was under a moral obligation to seek out diverse experiences, making a daily effort to confront others' perspectives. She believed that morality must be seen as a social rather than an individual endeavor and democracy as a way of life rather than merely a basis for laws. Failing this, both democracy and ethics remain sterile, empty concepts (www.semcoop.com).

"The sphere of morals is the sphere of action," Addams proclaims. It is not enough to believe passively in the innate dignity of all human beings. Rather, one must work daily to root out racial, gender, class, and other prejudices...

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...t in mine; but, this is a goal that we all should hope to achieve. And had Addam's pushed for this relationship between the sexes, who knows the leaps and bounds that society and women's rights could have reached. This idea of a Godly love in society could hardly be argued against; because, there is no downside. Only positives towards a more efficient society.

While Jane Addam's and I don't share the same religious beliefs, we do share the same opinion on a woman's incomparable ability to influence society in a way

that is necessary and important. I believe that without Addam's influence, our

society and the way we see one another both domestically and internationally

would be years behind where we are today. For her work, I hold a great deal of

appreciation and respect. For without her pursuit of equality among the sexes, I

may not be here writing this paper.