Jane Addams Contributions To Society

Many times you hear the phrase Unsung Heroes, that is exactly who Jane Addams, Whitney Young and Frances Perkins are to America. Each of these people made major contributions to American society. Their untiring efforts now provide services and peace of mind to so many. As I viewed these videos and saw how these normal common individuals in some cased created the social policy as we know it today I inspired to do my part for society.
Jane Addams humanized immigrants and the underprivileged people. When American society wanted to ignore the abuse people they deem irrelevant or unworthy, Jane Addams found a way to give people their dignity and provide services to empower them to assimilate to American culture. Ms. Addams has a list of accomplishments; her achievements are the blue print for social welfare. As the founder of the first settlement house in America, the Hull House was more than just a place to stay this refuge became a solid peace of American and Social Welfare history. During the 120 years of operation they provided housing, education, child care, and job training to countless people. The Hull house was a huge success but this was one of her many achievements. Ms. Addams worked untiringly to create and change laws in child labor, immigration, and

establishing proper work hour’s women. Her achievements in social services paved the way to her appointment as the as the first female president of the National Conference of Social Work and the first woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Jane Addams shaped social policy by establishing the standard for social work and modeling how to fight for people. Her contributions to social welfare are to numerous to count. She established a solid foundation for social welfare in America.
Whitney Young unfortunately was not a name I knew before this assignment. Mr. Young is listed a Civil Rights leader, his work as the head the National Urban League fought for racial integration and to empower African Americas. His history as a social worker equipped him for his position. His appointment came at a critical time in the civil rights movement. The League under his leadership helped to sponsor the 1963 March on Washington lead by Dr. Martin Luther King. As I viewed the video it shared how Young was able to partner with influential white Americans by adding them to the board of the National Urban League. These partnerships help bridge the gap with the cultures and open new opportunity to African Americans. Mr. Young understood fought for equality for African Americans in the area of housing, education, health, and jobs. Another prevalent thing I learned from the video and other information I read, Mr. Young’s approach was organized and straight forward, however his presentation was professional universal and ethical. It seems he was able to help people see him as an individual and not just another African American activist, which helped them embrace his cause. Whitney Young influence on shaping social policy was more than just opening doors for African Americans in workforce and fighting for housing, health care, and education. I believe his ability to implement strategies that created a bridge between the races and also a key element to his contribution.

Frances Perkins is another person I had not heard of she seemed to take over were Jane Addams let off, however at another level. Ms. Perkins was instrumental in the development and of the New Deal policy. Her wisdom to assist with a plan that would safeguard the finical stability of the American citizenship was amazing. As it was stated in the video, she was instrumental in establishing social security, workers compensation and a forty hour work week. These are the core structure of American citizens and workers.
These pioneers of social work are the very reason American is still in existence.

Without their accomplishments and personal sacrifice America would be a much different country. Social work is more than just helping people on a personal level and this assignment has pushed to the forefront of my mind that dedicated ordinary, yet extraordinary people were able to achieve incomprehensible achievements for American society. Their stories are encouraging to me because I do not believed they set out to be the pillars and foundation of social welfare I believe they started as people who just wanted to help their fellow man and it grew to much more. Anything is possible if fight for what you

believe.