Women’s History Month: Who was Jane Addams?

How much do you know about the history of women in Rockford?

In celebration and recognition of Women's History Month, the Rockford Register Star has partnered with Midway Village Museum to bring readers a local women's history fact of the day.

Visit rrstar.com or the Rockford Register Star newspaper each day throughout the month of March to read about the women who played significant roles in Rockford history.

Laura Jane Addams was born in nearby Cedarville in 1860. Her father was a founding member of the Republican Party and friend of Abraham Lincoln. He inspired his daughter to dream of doing big things in life. When she became the first American woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931, it became obvious she had succeeded in this endeavor.

Among Addams’ numerous accomplishments following her graduation from Rockford Female Seminary in 1881 are the establishment of Hull House in Chicago to fight urban poverty, serving on the Chicago Board of Education, authoring numerous books advocating for peace and humanitarian causes, serving as president of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, and lecturing tirelessly on all areas of social reform, women’s rights and civic responsibility.

Want to learn more about Jane Addams? Visit Midway Village Museum online at midwayvillage.com or in person at 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Women’s History Month: Who was Jane Addams?