Browse · Jane Addams Digital Edition

Address to the Young Men's and Young Woman's Christian Associations, June 17, 1901

In a speech in Chicago, Addams warns female students of their future after graduating from college.

Statement on Wife Desertion, June 17, 1901

Addams argues against Bicknell's claims that one of the top reasons that men desert their wives is due to poor cooking skills.

Gender Roles

Statement on Proposed Housemaid Union Strike, August 9, 1901

Addams discusses the fear that if the Housemaid's union strikes, men will take their place permanently.

Gender Roles Labor

The Servant Problem, September 1903

Addams discusses the condition of domestic servants with regard to introducing new industries in the home, the move for shorter hours, and collective housekeeping.

Consumerism Gender Roles Jobs Labor

The Relation of Club Women to Social Problems, April 15, 1905 (excerpt)

In a speech before the Chicago Women's Association. Addams complains that college women are disinclined toward philanthropy.

Education Gender Roles Lectures Philanthropy Social Reform

Limited Segregation by James Elder Armstrong, May 23, 1906

Armstrong presents his findings on segregated and non-segregated classrooms, and what that means for the inner workings of a gendered human.

Education Gender Roles Writings

The Whole Duty of Man, June 3, 1906

Addams argues that strict gender roles for mothers and fathers are not useful.

Gender Roles Social Reform

Ida Josephine Cole Scott et al. to Jane Addams, June 14, 1906

Scott's Committee on Observation on Limited Segregation reports to the Chicago Board of Education that educating boys and girls in the same manner does not appear to be the best policy, and requests time for continued study.

Education Gender Roles Requests Research

James Elder Armstrong to Jane Addams, September 18, 1906

Armstrong writes to Addams about the differences between gender segregated and non-segregated classes and how women and men teach these classes differently.

Education Gender Roles Writings

Edward William Bok to Jane Addams, May 16, 1907

Bok provides Addams with feedback on her Ladies' Home Journal article entitled "Why Girls Go Wrong."

Gender Roles Praise

Wolves That Prey on Women, January 9, 1908

Addams warns independent women against men who will try to take advantage of them in matters of money. This is a reprint of an article first published in 1907.

Business Finances Gender Roles Women's Rights

Address to the Playground Association, March 31, 1908

Addams participated in a tribute dinner to Mary Augusta Ward, held by the Playground Association of America. The event was held on March 31, 1908, at New York's Waldorf Astoria Hotel, where Addams discussed the need for play, art, and creativity, and warns that without such outlets men will fall to drink and immoral behavior. She highlighted the lack of healthy entertainments, especially for young women. The speech was published in April in The Playground, a monthly journal of the Playground Association of America.

Child Welfare Children Education Gambling Gender Roles Urban Planning

The Working Woman and the Ballot, April 1908

Addams gives arguments for woman's suffrage, stressing that working class need it to be able to control some aspects of their lives.

Gender Roles Labor Woman Suffrage Women's Rights

The Bad Boy of the Street, October 1909

Addams argues that young boys need an outlet for their pent-up energy and adventurousness, and that without an outlet, like a playground, they are susceptible to petty crime.

Gender Roles Juvenile Delinquency Recreation Youth

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

Edward William Bok's Interview Questions, 1912

Bok's questions for a series of interviews with Jane Addams and other prominent women are intended to find an explanation for women's "unrest" and the factors that have led to their discontent.

Feminism Gender Roles Journalism Social Reform Woman Suffrage Women's Rights

Hartwig Henry Herbst to Jane Addams, January 20, 1912

Herbst praises Addams' series of articles in McClure's Magazine and shares some of his own opinions on the subject of sex.

Education Gender Roles Health

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Speech to the Wisconsin Woman's Suffrage Association, January 26, 1912 (excerpts)

A newspaper report of Addams's speech to the Milwaukee branch of the Wisconsin Woman Suffrage Association, which uses humor to render the male arguments against woman suffrage absurd. A version of this speech was later published in the Ladies' Home Journal.

Child Labor Gender Roles Labor Lectures Woman Suffrage Women's Rights

Daniel H. Burt to Jane Addams, May 31, 1912

Burt praises Addams' speech "The Church and the Social Evil" and congratulates her on her good work with women.

Gender Roles Religion

Anna M. Worden to Jane Addams, July 28, 1912

Worden laments to Addams about how some men treat young women and girls.

Gender Roles Help!White Slavery

Anonymous ("a Progressive") to Jane Addams, August 10, 1912

The author offers his thoughts on woman suffrage and the custom of men tipping their hats to women.

Ethics Gender Roles Women's Rights

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

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

Montgomery Black Cowperthwait to Jane Addams, January 30, 1913

Cowperthwait writes Addams about her book A New Conscience and an Ancient Evil and explains his experiments and ideas on sex.

Children Eugenics Gender Roles Morality Population

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