Continuing our recognition of Women’s History Month, today’s post features Lillian Wald (1867-1940), who worked during the American Progressive Era (1896-1916). The Progressive Era “was a period of widespread social activism and political reform,” which was characterized by “addressing problems caused by industrialization, urbanization, immigration, and political corruption.”
In 1895, Lillian Wald “was the first person to establish a settlement house with the primary goal of providing nursing services for the poor,” in the Lower East Side of New York City. Within a few years, the Henry Street Settlement “had become a vibrant neighborhood center, offering residents of the Lower East Side not only nursing services, but a playground and a kindergarten, afterschool programs, classes for adults, boys’ and girls’ clubs, mothers’ groups, day trips and vacations to the country, summer camps, a theater, and the myriad other activities that came to be associated with the settlement house movement.” Even today, the Henry Street Settlement “provides a multitude of community services, while the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, an offshoot of the Settlement, offers a wide variety of home health care services.”
A nurse by training, as a public health advocate, Wald promoted “public health issues, and was instrumental in creating and professionalizing the field of public health nursing. She raised money to fund higher education programs for public health nurses, and made the Henry Street Settlement available for their training.”
Wald “was also active in many of the other reform movements of the era. She lobbied for parks and playgrounds, worked to elect reform candidates, advocated for decent housing conditions, and supported the struggle for worker’s rights, women’s rights, and children’s rights.” One of her causes “was improving the lives of children. She worked tirelessly to enhance their health, life expectancy, public environment, housing conditions, family life, education, and even what she asserted was their right to leisure and playtime.”
According to the National Women’s History Museum, “In 1922, the New York Times named Wald one of the 12 greatest living American women. She later received the Lincoln Medallion for her work as an “‘Outstanding Citizen of New York.’” In 1993, Wald was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.
Further Reading
Lillian Wald (National Women’s History Museum)
Lillian Wald (Jewish Women’s Archive)
Lillian Wald (National Women’s Hall of Fame)
How Lillian Wald Contributed to Community Health (American Sentinel)