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Jane Addams

by Katie from Arkansas

I never thought in a million years I would study about a girl from 1860 through 1935, who did something that affected all women today. Would you? Before my hero, women couldn’t vote, so I’m glad my hero helped the women, in Illinois. My hero did a lot of things that showed wonderful character traits to all the people around her. She showed manners towards the people around her.

Jane Addams real name is Laura Jane Addams. Jane Addams was born in Cedarville, Illinois, in 1860. She was just a toddler at about age three, when her mother died. Her father remarried soon after that. Sometime in Jane’s late childhood her father died. Her stepmother did not marry to anyone else after that. Jane Addams attended University Of Illinois, but dropped out because of back pain.

Imagine being one of those many people who lived in Urban Chicago, Illinois. If you were a mom with children and had no husband, what would you do? Jane Addams developed Hull House, which gave the moms a job to earn income so they could provide for their children. Hull House provided child-care for the children and they also taught classes like English, Art, and many more, to people who were interested.

Jane Addams wrote many speeches, articles and books. She presented her speeches in public to different people. During the time of Jane Addams these things were going on, the Great Depression, and Georgia O. Keefe became a famous painter. Juliette Gordon Low founded Girl Scouts. Marie Curie became the first person to win two Nobel Peace Prize.

Jane Addams died in Chicago, Illinois in 1935 at age 74 years, 8 months, 15 days. More than one hundred showed up at her funeral. The streets were jammed packed. People showed up even if they didn’t know her personally. I would have loved to be one of those many people who went!

Page created on 9/12/2008 12:00:00 AM

Last edited 9/12/2008 12:00:00 AM

The beliefs, viewpoints and opinions expressed in this hero submission on the website are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs, viewpoints and opinions of The MY HERO Project and its staff.

Extra Info

Addams shows thoughtfulness by developing Hull House for the widows; she shows compassion by helping people in need, and also shows attentiveness by caring for others.

Jane Addams did a lot of amazing things to help out with out being asked. She developed Hull House. She gave widows a job. Jane Addams is a true hero. Jane Addams did all this without a husband by her side. That is why Laura Jane Addams is my true hero.