Commentary: Jane Addams left a legacy for women with Hull House

Jane Addams was born in 1860, just months before the Civil War in America began. In a time when women were called “old maids” if they didn’t marry by age 30, and were considered to be the property of the husband when they did marry, Addams decided to go to college at Rockford Female Seminary in Illinois.

After receiving her degree in 1881, she planned to continue her education to become a physician. When a serious health problem prohibited her from continuing on, she took advantage of this change in the course of her life by enjoying the grand tour of Europe with her family.

While she enjoyed her time abroad, Addams returned to her home feeling like her future was unsettled and too different from the norm. While she did not want to live the conventional life of leisure of a well-to-do young woman, it also felt scary to do something different.

To lift her spirits, she took another trip to Europe with a friend. This time she went to England, where she learned about a new concept called settlement houses. These houses were created in order to provide shelter and care for poor women and their children.

Now Addams began to develop a vision for herself and her future. By establishing a settlement house in Chicago for needy women and children with the funds she had inherited, she would now be able to build a meaningful life for herself. In the years before charitable work was institutionalized by big government, churches, communities and individuals helped those less fortunate than themselves.

Addams bought a large home, where she could provide shelter and assistance for about 25 women and their children. She named her home Hull House. Addams was happy and fulfilled in her new role. She had many ideas for helping not only the women, but also the community.

Soon, classes for developing employable skills were taught, and night classes for adults were started. Cooking and nutrition classes were formed. Clubs for older children were created. A gym, a music school and a library were established. Children were taught the basics of reading, writing and math.

A large room also served as a community arts center and social service facility. Eventually, a fine arts program was established, and a studio was set up for the residents and the community at large. The land around the house provided a green space for playing and being outdoors. This was a wonderful contrast to the usual cramped living quarters of the tenement houses. Addams wanted to create a happy and healthy environment for her residents and for the community.

Soon Hull House was thriving. Americans were eager to send donations to help this worthwhile effort. Ideas were discussed and tried at Hull House, which also acted as a center for social reform and as a catalyst for social justice throughout the country.

Hull House also served as a wonderful outlet for the talented middle class community women, who volunteered their time to work at Hull House. As a result of the community participation in this effort, Hull House was a personable and friendly place.

Addams concluded that if the lives of women were improved, then the life of the entire community would benefit. Hull House, the vision of a single woman, was so innovative and effective that many visitors came to learn how they might duplicate this effort in their own communities.

Addams received much success and recognition for her efforts. Despite her disappointments in her early life, she was successful in forging a meaningful life for herself by helping others and setting a fine example for others to follow.

American Studies Professor SHERRY MARRON lives in Newport Beach.