Jane Addams

Hello! My name is Jane Addams. When I was a little girl, I loved helping my family and friends. I saw that some people didn't have cozy homes or enough food to eat, and it made me want to find a way to help everyone feel safe and happy. I dreamed of building a special place where I could be a good neighbor.

When I grew up, my friend Ellen and I found a big, empty house in a busy city called Chicago in 1889. It was called Hull House. We decided to fix it up and open its doors to all our neighbors. We wanted it to be a happy and welcoming place for everyone, no matter where they came from. We filled it with books, toys, and art supplies.

At Hull House, children could come to play and learn after school. Their parents could learn new things, like how to speak English or make beautiful crafts. We had story time, puppet shows, and a big playground. I loved seeing so many friends making our big house a home. I lived to be 74 years old, and I am so happy that my idea of being a good neighbor helped so many people and that houses like mine opened all over the world to help others.