67 pages • 2 hours read
Twenty Years at Hull House
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Book Brief
Twenty Years at Hull House
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1910248
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Chicago, Illinois • 1880s
1910
Adult
14+ years
Super Short Summary
Twenty Years at Hull House by Jane Addams recounts her efforts to improve the living conditions of working-class immigrants in Chicago's West Side slums, tracing the evolution and impact of Hull-House from its founding in 1889. Inspired by her observations of poverty in East London, Addams established this Settlement House to provide social, educational, and charitable activities and to advocate for protective legislation for laborers. The book describes various reforms initiated by Hull-House, such as child care, educational programs, and labor rights advocacy, emphasizing the interconnectedness of individual and societal well-being.
Informative
Inspirational
Heartwarming
Contemplative
Hopeful
Reviews & Readership
1,406 ratings
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Review Roundup
Jane Addams' Twenty Years at Hull House is widely praised for its insightful depiction of social reform and pioneering efforts in community building. Readers appreciate its firsthand perspective on the challenges faced by immigrants in Chicago. However, some critique the narrative for occasionally being overly detailed and a bit dense. Overall, it remains a seminal work in social work literature.
Who Should Read Twenty Years at Hull House?
Academic readers interested in social justice, women's studies, and American history will appreciate Twenty Years at Hull House by Jane Addams. Similar to readers of The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois and The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan, they will find inspiring insights into early 20th-century social reform and activism.
1,406 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
John Huy Addams
John Huy Addams
Jane Addams's father, a notable businessman and Illinois state senator, who significantly influenced Jane's interest in social justice and reform.
Ellen Gates Starr
Ellen Gates Starr
A close friend and collaborator of Jane Addams who co-founded Hull-House, where she contributed significantly by leading art and education initiatives to uplift the laborers and immigrants.
Julia Clifford Lathrop
Julia Clifford Lathrop
A social reformer and Hull-House resident who was the first woman to lead a U.S. federal bureau, focusing on child welfare and charitable institutions.
Florence Molthrop Kelley
Florence Molthrop Kelley
A reformer and Hull-House resident whose work in investigating sweatshops influenced Illinois labor legislation; she later held significant roles in broader national reform organizations.
Alzina Parsons Stevens
Alzina Parsons Stevens
A Hull-House resident with a background in labor, who advocated for factory workers and served as an assistant factory inspector to enforce labor laws.
Grace Abbott
Grace Abbott
A social reformer at Hull-House who directed efforts to protect immigrants' rights and regulate child labor, contributing to the development of federal child labor laws.
248
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Chicago, Illinois • 1880s
1910
Adult
14+ years
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