Social Welfare History Project People Page 18

Perkins, Frances, Change Agent

In 1913 Perkins married Paul Caldell Wilson. He was handsome, rich and a progressive. She defied convention and kept her maiden name. After several attempts at conceiving a daughter was born. Life did not treat Frances well. Both husband and daughter were depressed and institutionalized for long periods. While she had some help with living from her wealthy friends Frances paid their bills until they died. She also dealt with a myriad of stresses they introduced into her life. She did not believe in divorce. Despite her personal miseries Frances continued to develop her political skills.

Wald, Lillian: Congressional Tribute

REMARKS OF HON. SAMUEL DICKSTEIN OF NEW YORK IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, September 19, 1940 Mr. DICKSTEIN. Mr. Speaker, the untimely death of Lillian D. Wald has left a void in the life of the city of New York and the country at large, which will not be easily filled. Miss Wald’s…

Tefferteller, Ruth S.

Ruth S. Tefferteller (August 28, 1917 – May 1989) – Social Group Worker, Author, American Red Cross Worker, Program Director Henry Street Settlement Introduction: In 1942, Ralph and Ruth Tefferteller began coordinating their respective concerns and careers. From 1942 until 1946, both served in the Army. Ruth was an army hospital recreation worker with…

Tefferteller, Ralph

Ralph B. Tefferteller (January 10, 1910 – February 5, 1988): Social Worker, Labor Organizer and Director, Henry Street Settlement House Introduction: Ralph Tefferteller was a social workers who spent much of his career (from 1946 to 1967) at the Henry Street Settlement in New York City. After leaving Henry Street, with his wife Ruth, the…

Barrett, Kate Waller

Kate Waller Barrett (January 24, 1857 – February 23, 1925): Physician, Humanitarian, Sociologist, Social Reformer and Co-Founder of the National Florence Crittenton Mission Introduction: Kate Waller Barrett’s life story is unusual. Carefully reared women of the nineteenth century in America, and especially Southern women, rarely moved so far away from the restrictions of their…

Crittenton, Charles Nelson

Charles Nelson Crittenton (1833-1909) – Business Owner, Evangelist, Philanthropist and Founder of the National Florence Crittenton Mission Introduction: Charles Nelson Crittenton went into the drug business in New York City in 1861. In 1882, after his four-year-old daughter Florence died of scarlet fever he devoted his time and wealth to the establishment of the Florence…

Lurie, Harry L.

Harry L. Lurie (February 28, 1892-June 25, 1973): Social Worker, Author, Researcher and Administrator Introduction: Harry L. Lurie made an historic contribution to the advancement of social welfare in America in administration, research, teaching and writing. His career spanned more than a half century of service, dealing with an exceptional range of needs:…

Kendall, Katherine

Katherine A. Kendall (1910 – 2010): Social Work Pioneer, Educator and First Educational Secretary of the Council of Social Work Education Introduction: Katherine A. Kendall was closely identified with major developments in social work education in the United States and internationally over four decades. As Executive Secretary of the American Association of Schools of…

Powderly, Terence

Terence V. Powderly (1849-1924): Union Leader, Politician, Machinist, Lawyer By: Michael Barga Introduction: Terence V. Powderly was a man who captured the public eye as a politician and labor organizer at the turn of the 20th century, particularly as three-term mayor of Scranton, PA and member of the Knights of Labor leadership. Throughout his career,…

Jones, Mary Harris ‘Mother’

Mary Harris ‘Mother’ Jones (1837-1930): Labor Activist and Organizer, Speaker, Teacher