President at the Progressive Party convention, and presided
over the International Congress of Women at the Hague in the
Netherlands.
Addams was also an important advocate for peace. She
was deeply opposed to World War I, an unpopular view that
resulted in her dismissal from the Daughters of the American
Revolution. Despite this she continued to work for the things
she believed in. She worked for peace by founding the
Women’s Peace Party (later renamed the Women’s International
League for Peace and Freedom). The Woman’s Peace Party
called for nations to come together to solve world problems
rather than go to war. In 1931, Addams became the first Ameri-can
woman to win the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize.
Jane Addams received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931
Addams health began to decline in 1931
after she underwent surgery and suffered a
heart attack. In 1935 she was diagnosed with
intestinal cancer, and on May 21 at the age of
seventy – four Jane Addams died. Thousands
of people came to pay their last respects during
her visitation at Hull House. She was buried in
her hometown of Cedarville.
Jane Addams remains one of the most influ-ential
and well-known women of her genera-tion.
She stands as a shining example of the
difference one person can make when he or she
takes direct action and works for the things
they believe in. Other settlement houses were
organized as a result of Jane Addams’ efforts.
While the Hull House was in just one neigh-borhood,
in just one city, its example and influ-ence
reached across the nation and the world.
Jane and companion campaigning
for Peace. Courtesy Abraham Lin-coln
Presidential Library.
Written by Karen E. Everingham, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency
© Education Services, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.
WebMaster: Karen E. Everingham
Glossary
exploited—to make
use of selfishly or
unethically.
prestigious—highly
admired or es-teemed.
