Jane Addams: Google likes her, so should you

For those of you who don’t know, 153 years ago, a brilliant woman was born. We know her for the great progressive work she accomplished during the latter half of the nineteenth century, most notably the foundation of the Chicago Hull House. Her name is Jane Addams.

She was an amazing woman, and an individual who helped to move the America into its progressive stage. Jane Addams also remains a vibrant inspiration for me, and I strive daily to follow in the path she worked so hard to create. In her memoirs, Twenty Years at Hull House, I firmly stand by her encouragement of young men and women to use their education for the betterment of others. By helping others you ultimately help yourself. Although at the time of the publication of her memoir, if memoir it be, the youth she targeted was of a higher, wealthier class, I believe her mantra remains relevant to today’s youth. With so many graduating from college into a sluggish job market, spending some time serving others will having a dual optimistic effect. On the one hand, you’ll have an enormous work force of individuals helping to build and refurbish communities, aiding the impoverished, the immigrants, the at-risk-youth while simultaneously building usable and valuable experience to help them gain better jobs in the future. Jane Addam’s legacy of service and philanthropy should not be so casually forgotten, which is why I am excited to see Google’s homepage today. It celebrates Jane Addams.

The reasoning behind my decision for AmeriCorps greatly lay with my reading of Twenty Years at Hull House. I first read it for a class I took, but I reread it again, and discovered so much more. Besides being a generally amazing individual, Jane Addams spirit, determination, and intelligence are nothing to shake a stick at. Her drive alone propelled so many movements and demanded a great deal of respect. She was an activist for a rather eclectic set of ideas: from immigration policy, women’s rights, voter’s rights, and labor unions. Although a wide range, she was well versed in all and managed to diligently work to promote all these issues without slacking in her other responsibilities at the Hull House.  

She is a role model for all women in my lowly opinion. For all men too.  Her time was spent on ideas, her mind focused on activism. Her generosity is sorely missed today. I think we could all do with a little bit more Jane Addams in our world today, wouldn’t you agree? Or maybe just read her memoir, trust me, it is definitely worth the read.