On 6^th September 1860, in Cedarville, Illinois, a woman by the name of Laura Jane Addams (known as Jane Addams) was born. She would later become the first woman to receive an honorary degree from Yale University, the first woman public philosopher in the United States and the first American woman to win the Nobel peace prize. 

Addams believed in the importance of equality and acceptance for all people and was a vocal supporter of LGB individuals at a time when homosexuality was highly stigmatised. Through her commitment to social justice, Addams paved the way for greater acceptance of LGB+ individuals in society.

In the summer of 1887, Addams visited the UK. During her trip she visited Toynbee Hall in London, which was known as a settlement house – this type of institution was a place where unexpected cultural connections could be made and classes could mingle socially to mutual benefit.

Upon returning to the US, in 1889 Addams and her friend Ellen Starr co-founded their own settlement house (Hull House) in Chicago, which provided extensive social services to poor, largely immigrant families – it was also a centre for research, empirical analysis, study and debate. It was here that much of social theory was formed and is the reason that many consider Jane Addams ‘The mother of Social Work’.

As the professional and intellectual descendants of Jane Addams, every time you practice Social Work, you help to honour and build upon her legacy.