Voicing a Cause, Voicing a Self: Jane Addams at Hull House

The Marshalltown Public Library has received funding from Humanities Iowa, a private, non‐profit, to host a presentation called Voicing a Cause, Voicing a Self: Jane Addams at Hull House by Helen Lewis at 2:00pm on March 23. The presentation will take place in the library's meeting rooms.  A cultural resource for Iowans since 1971, Humanities Iowa offers many cultural and historical programs and grants to Iowa's communities.  

Throughout her long career advocating the needs of impoverished immigrants, exploited laborers, youth criminals and war victims, Jane Addams valued Hull House, her settlement house in Chicago, as the center from which she and her colleagues could assist others, improve society and benefit themselves. She trusted social democracy to restore dignity to the marginal. Her many publications reveal a person finding identity and purpose through her causes. The presentation, done in costume of the period, helps the audience to understand the path chosen by this Nobel Peace Prize recipient.

This presentation will also highlight the contributions of Jessie Binford, who was from Marshalltown, to the Hull House and the people of Chicago.  Binford  worked closely with Addams at the Hull House and was the founder of the Juvenile Protective Association. 

Helen Lewis, an Eastern transplant to the Midwest, teaches at Western Iowa Tech Community College in Sioux City. She has taught English and Humanities courses since 1971, and her special interests include Westerns, women artists, Medieval mysteries and square dancing. Ms. Lewis portrays Jane Addams for the Great Plains Chautauqua Society, Inc.

This presentation is free and open to the public. For questions or more information, please contact the library’s Information Desk at 641-754-5738 ext. 4. If you are a person with a disability who requires special assistance, please call 641-754-5738 ext. 4 in advance.