Photographs from the Chicago Daily News, 1902-1933
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Social Services
The late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries were characterized by a spirit of reform. Americans created organizations and provided social services to relieve and combat various social ills that appeared with industrialization and urbanization. Refer to the Subject Index heading, Chicago (Ill.) - social conditions, for images reflecting the variety of problems facing American cities, from unemployment to child labor. Search on abuse and corruption, for evidence of drug addiction, domestic violence, and political corruption.
Reformers responded to such problems through individual effort and through organizations such as the United Charities of Chicago and the Chicago Relief and Aid Society. Search on charity and relief for images reflecting the variety of ways in which people lent a hand, from a volunteer making a hospital visit to an actress and judge lending their notoriety to a charity.
Three members of the Service Club wearing
costumes as part of a charity benefit, posing
in a room
Girl holding a basket of coal on a street corner
by the Salvation Army salvage store with other
children and pedestrians in the background
- What were some of the ways that individuals sought to make a difference in other people's lives?
- What kinds of services and activities did charity and relief organizations provide?
- What was necessary to keep these organizations going?
One of the most acute problems in American cities was poverty. Search on poor for images that illustrate the efforts of individuals and organizations such as the Salvation Army, the Illinois Poorhouse Farm, and the Oak Forest Infirmary to ameliorate the trials of poverty. Do related searches on homeless and welfare for more photographs.
- What were the needs of Chicago's poor?
- What kinds of services were available to them?
- Where and how were these services provided?
- How helpful do think that these services were?
Photographs documenting social services reveal that special consideration was given to the needs of children. Search on child welfare for images reflecting the services provided especially for children, from clothing and health care to recreational and educational opportunities. The Chicago Daily News, known for its social service activities, sponsored the Fresh Air Fund, which allowed children to enjoy outings and attend summer camp. The newspaper also supported a Fresh-Air Fund Sanitarium for children. Search on Fresh Air Fund for pertinent photographs.
- What services were available for children?
- Why do you think that children received special attention from individuals and organizations in the social services?
- How do social services for children today compare with those of the Progressive Era?
Individual Chicagoans also took an active role as benefactors. Mary Bartelme, the first woman elected judge in Illinois, served on the juvenile court and was noted for dedicating her life to helping underprivileged girls. Jane Addams and Ellen Starr started a kindergarten at Hull House, where they also provided a club for teenage boys and cooking and sewing lessons for girls. Hull House also served as an art gallery and studio and facilitated lectures and events for the largely immigrant population in the surrounding neighborhood. Search on Mary Bartelme, Jane Addams, Ellen Gates Starr, and Hull House for images.
- What do you think motivated individuals such as Mary Bartelme, Jane Addams, and Ellen Starr to do social service work?
Finally, many social service organizations were established to promote better health and hygiene. Search on health and hygiene for images reflecting such efforts. During the influenza epidemic of 1918, Chicago's Health Commissioner urged newspapers to educate the public about how to stay healthy. The Chicago Daily News prepared photographs of Red Cross nurses making gauze masks and of people wearing masks in their daily work.
- Why would the owners of a newspaper feel impelled to sponsor social services through their business?