Public welfare means literally “to go well with the people.” It embraces the public welfare programs of federal, state, and local governments, the broad purpose of which, through the prevention and relief of suffering caused by social and economic inequalities and maladjustments, is to provide a better way of life for all people. Definitions, however, are at best only a guide—it is their use and application that determine their true meaning (Dunn, 1941).
Loula Dunn devoted her life and professional work to defining and improving the national social welfare system during the Great Depression and New Deal era. As part of the second wave of social reformers in the United States, the importance of Dunn and other notable social workers of this time are often forgotten. Credit is given to the political leaders and policy makers and little is known about the people who helped shape and implement these tremendous changes in the social welfare system of the twentieth century. Loula Dunn was one of those …show more content…
In 1946, 76% of Alabama state public assistance was going to people over the age of sixty-five. This was mainly due to the fact that life expectancy was increasing rapidly. Thanks to the passing of the 1935 Social Security Act, there are pensions available to some of this population. In Alabama, the benefits of Social Security were not as widespread. Because of the predominately agricultural economy, only 40% of the working population was eligible for social security compared to 60% nation wide. In 1946, Dunn advocated for federal legislation to change the allocation of funds that states receive. She argued that funds should be distributed based on the needs of the population rather than the state’s ability to provide matching funds. This change allowed the State of Alabama to better meet the needs of the elderly poor. (Dunn,
Loula Dunn devoted her life and professional work to defining and improving the national social welfare system during the Great Depression and New Deal era. As part of the second wave of social reformers in the United States, the importance of Dunn and other notable social workers of this time are often forgotten. Credit is given to the political leaders and policy makers and little is known about the people who helped shape and implement these tremendous changes in the social welfare system of the twentieth century. Loula Dunn was one of those …show more content…
In 1946, 76% of Alabama state public assistance was going to people over the age of sixty-five. This was mainly due to the fact that life expectancy was increasing rapidly. Thanks to the passing of the 1935 Social Security Act, there are pensions available to some of this population. In Alabama, the benefits of Social Security were not as widespread. Because of the predominately agricultural economy, only 40% of the working population was eligible for social security compared to 60% nation wide. In 1946, Dunn advocated for federal legislation to change the allocation of funds that states receive. She argued that funds should be distributed based on the needs of the population rather than the state’s ability to provide matching funds. This change allowed the State of Alabama to better meet the needs of the elderly poor. (Dunn,