Google Doodle Celebrating the 153rd Birthday of Jane Addams
Google Doodle commemorating Jane Addams’ life & service that was shared on Fri., Sept. 6th, 2013.
Google chose to celebrate the life and service of Jane Addams, the Founding Grandmother of Social Work, with a Google Doodle. Jane Addams and others like her who fought for equality and humane services and treatment to the most vulnerable and oppressed in society, is the reason why social work exists today. While in my MSW program, I remember learning about the early days of social work, and how Addams’ contributions helped to establish the creation and reputation of the social change movement, that would later become social work. Fearless women like Addams made their presence and voices heard during a time when women weren’t expected to be proactive members in society. I cannot even imagine the level of criticism she experienced for being a woman who spoke out and worked fervently to help those less fortunate in our society. Addams was indeed macro-focused, which is the direction the profession took when it was created. Her dedication in improving the lives of women, children, minorities, immigrants, and workers in America epitomizes what social work is all about – making a change that will better ALL people; not just a privileged few. As a macro-minded social worker, I wanted to show my respect to the woman whose work is respected and upheld as an example of what a leader for social change is and does.
Happy Birthday, Jane Addams, and thank you for your contributions that created the profession I love dearly!
(Below is a short summary of Jane Addams’ life and contributions, provided by CoolChicksFromHistory‘s Tumblr blog.)
Jane Addams was one of the best known social justice activists of the early 20th century. A suffragette, she emphasized the importance of women in creating positive communities. Jane also advocated for children, immigrants, ethnic minorities, and workers. Jane pioneered the settlement movement, founding Hull House in Chicago, the US’s first settlement house. Hull House provided education for adults and children, as well as social and artistic programming. Jane fought for better sanitation programs and against government corruption. Her work influenced social reformers worldwide and contributed to the development of professional social work. Jane was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931 for her work promoting the preservation of peace worldwide.