At the turn of the 20th century, social reformer Jane Addams provides a thought-provoking look at the economic vulnerabilities facing young working women in America’s industrial centers. Addams’ account draws on her groundbreaking work at Chicago’s Hull House settlement, casting an empathetic yet unflinching eye on the harsh realities of poverty and gender inequality.
Through piercing observation and insightful analysis, Addams documents the poor working and living conditions plaguing female garment and domestic workers. She exposes their low wages, long hours, unsafe work spaces, and lack of bargaining power or legal protections. Addams’ examination reveals complex links between socioeconomic forces and these women’s susceptibility to exploitation.
Arguing for societal remedies over superficial charity, Addams proposes novel solutions to uplift working women through education, community organization, and labor reforms. Her examination of women’s economic independence speaks strikingly to ongoing relevance today. Addams’ blend of steadfast idealism with unsentimental pragmatism provides an thought-provoking portrait of belated justice for working women.
A Belated Industry brings Addams’ progressive vision to life through empathetic portraits of young women struggling to retain dignity and hope in the churning Industrial-era economy. This compelling snapshot illuminates the beginnings of Addams’ iconic career advocating for society’s most vulnerable.
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