Grace Abbott
Poor Grace, she grew up wearing hand-me-downs from her mother and sister, Edith. She always longed for something new. When she was little she was known to be bossy and she continued to be outspoken in her fight for the rights of children. Grace was born in Grand Island in 1878. She was most concerned about the welfare of children and infants, especially those from poor families. She was worried about the low pay and long hours that children worked in the factories in the early 1900's. She became a leader in the fight for laws that would protect children's rights. She became the director of the Industrial Division of the Children's Bureau of the U.S. Department of Labor.
Grace Abbott made a difference in her community and the world by helping children. She helped make laws that helped mothers and children get proper heatlth care, even if they couldn't afford it. She helped to insure that children wouldn't have to work in horrible conditions.
Historical Photos courtesy of Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer