GRACE ABBOTT, 1873-1939

Grace Abbott was a social reformer who worked hard protecting the rights of children. She was born in Grand Island, Nebraska, and taught school there. In 1907 she went to Chicago to continue her education and to work with immigrants. She became a leader in the fight to protect children's rights and was especially concerned about children forced to work long hours in factories for very little pay. Grace Abbott became the head of the Children's Bureau of the United States Department of Labor.