Social Welfare History Project People Page 19

Kerby, Monsignor William Joseph

Monsignor William Joseph Kerby (1870-1936): Writer, Sociologist, Catholic Social Work Organizer By: Michael Barga Introduction: Monsignor William J. Kerby helped galvanize Catholic social workers in the creation of a number of organizations, most notably the National Catholic Conference of Charities in 1910. He was a prolific writer and editor and spent most of his life…

Chambers, Clarke A.

Clarke A. Chambers (1921 – 2015) — Researcher, Professor of History and Founder of the Social Welfare History Archives at the University of Minnesota Introduction: Clarke Chambers has been recognized for his excellence in teaching, research and writing, and service to the University of Minnesota. However, his most lasting contribution will be his long…

Shahan, Bishop Thomas

Bishop Thomas Joseph Shahan (1857-1932): First President National Conference of Catholic Charities, Long Time Rector, Catholic University of America and Noted Historian By: Michael Barga Introduction: Thomas J. Shahan was a Catholic historian, professor, and Rector of The Catholic University of America (CUA) for the majority of his adult life. Shahan’s main contribution to social…

Keller, Helen

Helen Keller (June 27, 1880 – June 1, 1968) – Advocate for the Deaf and Blind, Author, Socialist and Suffragist Introduction: Helen Adams Keller was born a healthy child in Tuscumbia, Alabama on June 27, 1880 in a white, frame cottage called “Ivy Green.” On her father’s side she was descended from Alexander Spottswood,…

Terrell, Mary Church

Mary Church Terrell was one of the first African American women to receive a college degree. She was a charter member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Colored Women’s League of Washington. She also helped found the National Association of Colored Women, and served as its first national president. The Mary Church Terrell house in the LeDroit Park neighborhood of Washington was named a National Historic Landmark

Granger, Lester B.

Lester Blackwell Granger introduced civil rights to the social work agenda as a national and international issue. He focused attention and advocacy energy on the goal of equal opportunity and justice for all people of color, even while focusing on the condition of black people in the United States. He is credited with leading the development of unions among black workers as well as integrating white unions. He led the integration of black workers in defense industries and the beginnings of racial integration in the military services during World War II.

Ryan, Monsignor John A.

Monsignor John Augustine Ryan (1869-1945): Economist, Theologian, Writer, Social Reformer By: Michael Barga Introduction: Msgr. Ryan wrote a number of influential works including his Ph.D. dissertation “A Living Wage: Its Ethical and Economic Aspects.” In 1909 he published “A Programme of Social Reform by Legislation.” Other works included: “Distributive Justice” in 1916; “Bishops’ 1919…

Higgins, Monsignor George

Written by Michael Barga. Monsignor George Higgins “The Labor Priest” (1916-2002): Worker’s Rights Advocate, Journalist

Epstein, Abraham

Abraham Epstein (1892-1942): Economist, Advocate for Social Justice and Founder of an Influential Organization Advocating for Social Insurance: the American Association for Old Age Insurance. Introduction: Abraham Epstein was an economist who was devoted to the causes of social justice and social insurance. He was a national leader in the social welfare movement in…

Dewson, Mary

Mary Williams Dewson (1874-1962) — Social Reformer, Suffragist, Government Official, and Organizer of Women for the National Democratic Party. Introduction: Mary Williams Dewson, commonly known as “Molly” Dewson was born in Quincy, Massachusetts, on February 18, 1874, the youngest of six children. Because of her father’s poor health, her mother became the backbone…