Browse · Jane Addams Digital Edition

Address to the Sinai Reformed Church, December 8, 1910 (excerpt)

Addams urges women to take an active role in society.

Lectures Women's Rights

The Ballot for Health and Beauty, February 1911

Addams' short argument for woman suffrage that women's voices are needed for the health and beauty of the cities.

Woman Suffrage Women's Rights

Woman and the State, February 2-14, 1911

Addams gave this lecture at least two times; once at the February 2 meeting of the New York City Women's Political Union, and again on February 14 at the Boston School Voters' League. In the lecture, she discusses the philosophical relationship between women and the State and argues for the value of women in government, leading to the importance of woman suffrage. She may have also delivered a version of this lecture in Chicago on Dec. 8, 1910, to the Fortnightly Club.

Child Labor Child Welfare Education Politics Woman Suffrage Women's Rights

Why Women Should Vote, March 30, 1911

In the final installment of "Why Women Should Vote," Addams highlights why women need the ballot and argues that woman suffrage is centuries overdue and necessary for women to protect themselves.

Civil Rights Gender Roles Woman Suffrage

What Women Might Accomplish with the Franchise (extract), October 21, 1911

An excerpt from Addams' address to the National American Woman Suffrage Association, on October 21, 1911, in Louisville, Kentucky, arguing that the desire for woman suffrage comes from women's desires for better social conditions.

Lectures Legislation Woman Suffrage

A New Conscience and an Ancient Evil, Chapter I, November 1911

Arguing that white slavery requires an organized movement to defeat it, Addams provides examples from cases in Chicago. This is the first in a five-part series, which would ultimately be published as A New Conscience and an Ancient Evil in 1912.

Books Immigrants Legislation Prostitution White Slavery Women's Rights

William I. Thomas to Jane Addams, December 12, 1911

Thomas follows up on a previous meeting with Addams at which they discussed her research and writing about prostitution. Thomas contradicts Addams' assertion that prostitution is a product of more advanced societies.

Woman Suffrage

The Church and the Social Evil, 1912

A reprint of Addams' speech to the Congress of Men and the Religion Forward Movement chastises the church for rejection aid to "fallen" women and asks for a return to the teachings of Jesus, who opened his heart to all sinners.

Crime Gambling Lectures Morality Prostitution Religion

A New Conscience and an Ancient Evil, Chapter III: Lack of Moral Education and Its Dangers, January 1912

Addams expounds upon the role of religious education in keeping youth from vice and examines the difficult standards to which young women are held. This is the third in a five-part series, which would ultimately be published as A New Conscience and an Ancient Evil later in the year.

Child Welfare Children Education Government Morality Prostitution Religion Sex Hygiene

Why Women Should Vote, February 4, 1912 (excerpt)

The Chicago Tribune published an excerpted version of Addams' speech on woman suffrage in Madison, Wisconsin, on January 23, 1912.

Labor Lectures Politics Social Reform Woman Suffrage

Why Women Should Vote, January 25, 1912

Addams connects woman suffrage with social work, arguing that women's voices are necessary for the improvement of social and labor conditions and that all -- social workers and housewives -- have a stake in making laws, which protect women, children, and families. Addams likely gave this speech on multiple occasions. This speech was also published in the Chicago Tribune on February 4, 1912.

Consumerism Education Lectures Politics Woman Suffrage

A New Conscience and an Ancient Evil, Chapter IV: Tragedies of Lonely and Unprotected Girls, February 1912

Addams identifies the dangers that face young women alone in a city and discusses the lack of support for them. This is the fourth in a five-part series, which would ultimately be published as A New Conscience and an Ancient Evil later in the year.

The Church and the Social Evil, April 23, 1912

Addams' speech to the Congress of Men and the Religion Forward Movement chastises the church for rejection aid to "fallen" women and asks for a return to the teachings of Jesus, who opened his heart to all sinners. The speech was also published in Vigilance.

Crime Gambling Morality Prostitution Religion

The Church and the Social Evil, April 23, 1912 (draft)

Addams' speech to the Congress of Men and the Religion Forward Movement chastises the church for rejecting aid to "fallen" women. She calls for a return to the teachings of Jesus, who opened his heart to all sinners. The speech was later published in Messages of the Men and Religion Movement and in Vigilance.

Crime Lectures Morality Prostitution Religion

The Church and the Social Evil, May 1912

A published version of Addams' speech to the Congress of Men and the Religion Forward Movement chastises the church for rejection aid to "fallen" women and asks for a return to the teachings of Jesus, who opened his heart to all sinners. The speech was also published in Messages of the Men and Religion Movement.

Crime Gambling Lectures Morality Prostitution Religion

Civic Value of Higher Education for Women, June 1912 Also known as Bryn Mawr Commencement Address, June 6, 1912

In this commencement address, Addams discusses the changes in perception of women's intelligence and argues that the time is ripe for women's intelligence to hold sway.

Education Labor Lectures Women's Rights

Civic Value of Higher Education for Women, June 6, 1912 Also known as Bryn Mawr Commencement Address, June 6, 1912

In this commencement address, Addams discusses the changes in perception of women's intelligence and argues that the time is ripe for women's intelligence to hold sway. The speech was later published in the Bryn Mawr Alumnae Quarterly.

Education Lectures Politics Social Reform

The Progressive Party and Safeguards for Working Girls, August-September, 1912

Addams lays out the Progressive Party's pledge to working women--the prohibition of night work, the institution of the eight-hour day, and a minimum wage in sweated industry. This is one of a series of articles she prepared for the Central Press Association for the Progressive Party campaign in 1912.

Labor

The Progressive Party and Woman Suffrage, September 1912

Addams argues for women's increased participation in politics and defends her decision to back a political party. This is one of a series of articles she prepared for the Central Press Association as part of the Progressive Party campaign in 1912.

Philanthropy Politics Woman Suffrage

The Progressive Party and Social Legislation, September 18, 1912

Addams reports on the Progressive Party Convention, discussing how items were added to its platform, particularly labor and military planks, and her dismay about the conventions unjust treatment of African-Americans. This is one of a series of articles she prepared as part of the Progressive Party campaign in 1912.

African-Americans Government Labor Legislation Memberships Military Patriotism Peace Politics Public Health Racism War Woman Suffrage Women's Rights

Current Legislation for Working Women, September 20, 1912

Addams argues for the implementation of a minimum wage for female workers.

Industry Labor Legislation Social Reform Women's Rights

Portage_Daily_Register_Sat__Oct_5__1912_ (1).jpg

Women and Democracy, October 4, 1912 (excerpts and summary)

Addams speaks on woman suffrage at a meeting in Potage, Wisconsin. She gave the same speech in Janesvile.

Lectures Woman Suffrage

Progressives' Offer to Women Workers, October 12, 1912

Addams discusses working conditions for women and advocates for a minimum wage for female workers.

Industry Labor Legislation Social Reform

What the Progressive Party Means to Women, October 21, 1912

Addams argues that women's interests coincide with the work the Progressive Party is doing and that they should support it.

Government Progressive Woman Suffrage Women's Rights

Jane Addams Points to the Progressive Party as Hope for Woman Suffrage, October 27, 1912

Addams argues for women's increased participation in politics and defends her decision to back a political party.

Philanthropy Politics Woman Suffrage Women's Rights

My Experiences as a Progressive Delegate, November 1912

Addams describes her experiences at the Progressive Party Convention, discussing how items were added to its platform, particularly labor and military planks, and its appeal to labor and women.

Government Labor Military Peace Politics Social Reform Woman Suffrage

The Communion of the Ballot, November 24, 1912

Addams' keynote address before the National American Woman Suffrage Association meeting in Philadelphia argues that women must have the ballot in order to maintain their moral and familial role for the betterment of society.

Government Immigrants Lectures Philanthropy Social Work Woman Suffrage

The Communion of the Ballot, December 14, 1912 (excerpt)

An excerpt from Addams' November 24 speech to the National Woman Suffrage Association meeting highlights her ideas about mother's pensions, immigrant socialization, and recreation.

Gender Roles Government Immigrants Poverty Social Welfare Woman Suffrage

Why Women Are Concerned with the Larger Citizenship: Philanthropy and Politics, 1913

Addams discusses how philanthropic activities become political activities, citing instances from her own work in Chicago.

Charity Juvenile Delinquency Labor Lectures Poverty Public Health Recreation Settlements Social Welfare

Milwaukee Address on Suffrage , January 7, 1913 (excerpt)

Addams recounts a story depicted in a children's play at Hull-House, which she offers as an allegory about the importance of women in society.

History Theater

The Family and the State -- A Satire, January 17, 1913

In a humorous effort to render the male arguments against woman suffrage absurd, Addams describes a hypothetical world in which women hold power and men are asking for the vote.

Business Gender Roles Labor Military Peace War Woman Suffrage

Public Dance Halls: The Need of Supervision, January 29, 1913 (fragment)

Addams argues for the regulation of public recreation to provide safe venues for women, youth, and communities.

Morality Recreation Sex Hygiene Social Welfare

Miss Addams, March 1913

Addams argues for a minimum wage for female workers. This is the third article of a monthly, year-long series on economic and social reform in America and women's role in affecting change.

Industry Labor Legislation Social Reform

Miss Addams, June 1913

In a humorous effort to render the male arguments against woman suffrage absurd, Addams describes a hypothetical world in which women hold power and men are asking for the vote. This is the sixth article of a monthly, year-long series on economic and social reform in America and women's roles affecting change.

Business Gender Roles Labor Military Peace War