“Florence Kelley dedicated her life to social reform. She wanted to end many social problems, including labor and racial movements in the United States.” (Norwood, Arlisha R) Florence Kelley was born on September 12th, 1859 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was raised mainly by her father, with whom she was very close, and her main inspiration for becoming an abolitionist. Her father raised both her and her siblings with strong morals, and was considered “an abolitionist of strict principles.” He educated Kelley about the horrors of child labor, “and several times took her to see young children working in steel and glass factories under dangerous conditions” (Sklar, K., and BW Palmer). These visits impacted her greatly, and she inherited her
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This encouragement from both her upbringing and repeated exposure to unsafe working conditions are the main reasons for becoming what she did, and since her actions still live with us today, it is important to note where it all started. “Kelley was committed to finding ways to extend the benefits of industrialization to all working people and championing the common good and collective rights, an exceptional pursuit in a culture that so highly valued individualism.” (Jane Addams Hull-House Musem) Shortly after she finished her childhood and elementary years, she grew quickly into a life of accomplishments and successful projects, significantly starting in 1839, when she made history by being “the first woman factory worker inspector in the United States, appointed in Illinois by Governer John Peter Altseld in 1839” Kelley took her job as Inspector very seriously and “tried to force sweatshops to follow the rules to treat their employees better”. She sued several businesses. Unfortunately, she never won, which inspired her to become a …show more content…
“In 1912, Kelley provided presidential candidate Theodore Roosevelt with facts and figures to substantiate his call for a minimum wage, pensions, and health insurance, as she became part of his ‘Female Brain Trust’ and a significant supporter of the Progressive Party.” (Theodore Roosevelt Center) Additionally, in 1909, Kelley was a founder of the NAACP “and for several years she served as vice president of the national American Woman Suffrage Association” (Encyclopedia Britannica) “Many Progressives formed advocacy organizations such as the National It is hard to imagine any possible setbacks Kelley could have ever encountered. However, Kelley faced many obstacles as a woman, was denied many opportunities, and had to work harder than others at the time. For example, Kelley attended three different colleges but due to complications and certain discrimination, was only awarded one degree from Northwestern University School of Law in
This encouragement from both her upbringing and repeated exposure to unsafe working conditions are the main reasons for becoming what she did, and since her actions still live with us today, it is important to note where it all started. “Kelley was committed to finding ways to extend the benefits of industrialization to all working people and championing the common good and collective rights, an exceptional pursuit in a culture that so highly valued individualism.” (Jane Addams Hull-House Musem) Shortly after she finished her childhood and elementary years, she grew quickly into a life of accomplishments and successful projects, significantly starting in 1839, when she made history by being “the first woman factory worker inspector in the United States, appointed in Illinois by Governer John Peter Altseld in 1839” Kelley took her job as Inspector very seriously and “tried to force sweatshops to follow the rules to treat their employees better”. She sued several businesses. Unfortunately, she never won, which inspired her to become a …show more content…
“In 1912, Kelley provided presidential candidate Theodore Roosevelt with facts and figures to substantiate his call for a minimum wage, pensions, and health insurance, as she became part of his ‘Female Brain Trust’ and a significant supporter of the Progressive Party.” (Theodore Roosevelt Center) Additionally, in 1909, Kelley was a founder of the NAACP “and for several years she served as vice president of the national American Woman Suffrage Association” (Encyclopedia Britannica) “Many Progressives formed advocacy organizations such as the National It is hard to imagine any possible setbacks Kelley could have ever encountered. However, Kelley faced many obstacles as a woman, was denied many opportunities, and had to work harder than others at the time. For example, Kelley attended three different colleges but due to complications and certain discrimination, was only awarded one degree from Northwestern University School of Law in