Jane Addams was the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.aNow "Citizen," Louise W. Knight''s masterful biography, revealsaAddams''s early development as a political activist and social philosopher.aaIn this bookawe observeaa powerful mindagrappling withathe radical ideas of her age, most notably the ever-changing meanings of democracy. "Citizen" covers the first half of Addams''s life, from 1860 to 1899. Knight recounts how Addams, a child of a wealthy family inarural northern Illinois, longed for a life of larger purpose. She broadened her horizons through education, reading, and travel, and, after receiving an inheritance upon her father''s death, moved to Chicago in 1889 to co-found Hull House, the city''s first settlement house. "Citizen" shows vividly what the settlement house actually wasOCoa neighborhood center for education and social gatheringsOCoand describes how Addams learned of the abject working conditions in American factories, the unchecked power wielded by employers, the impact of corrupt local politics on city services, and the intolerable limits placed on women by their lack of voting rights. These experiences, Knight makes clear, transformed Addams. Always a believer in democracy as an abstraction, Addams came to understand that this national ideal was also a life philosophy and a mandate for civic activism by all. As her story unfolds, Knight astutely captures the enigmatic Addams''s compassionate personality as well as her flawed human side. Written in a strong narrative voice, "Citizen" is an insightful portrait of the formative years of a great American leader. OC KnightOCOs decision to focus on AddamsOCOs early years is a stroke of genius. We know a great deal about Jane Addams the public figure. We know relatively little about how she made the transition from the 19th century to the 20th. In KnightOCOs book, Jane Addams comes to life. . . . "Citizen" is written neither to make money nor to gain academic tenure; it is a gift, meant to enlighten and improve. Jane Addams would have understood.OCOOCoAlan Wolfe, "New York"" Times Book Review" OC My only complaint about the book is that there wasnOCOt more of it. . . .a Knight honors Addams as an American original.OCOOCoKathleen Dalton, "Chicago"" Tribune""

Mary E. Richmond (1861-1928) was a contemporary of Jane Addams and an influential leader in the American charity organization movement.  In this biography--the first in-depth study of Richmond's life and work--Elizabeth N. Agnew examines the contributions of this important, if hitherto under-valued, woman to the field of charity and to its development into professional social work.   Orphaned at a young age and largely self-educated, Richmond initially entered charity work as a means of self-support, but came to play a vital role in transforming philanthropy--previously seen as a voluntary expression of individual altruism--into a valid, organized profession. Her career took her from charity organization leadership in Baltimore and Philadelphia to an executive position with the prestigious Russell Sage Foundation in New York City.   Richmond's progressive civic philosophy of social work was largely informed by the social gospel movement. She strove to find practical applications of the teachings of Christianity in response to the social problems that accompanied rapid industrialization, urbanization, and poverty. At the same time, her tireless efforts and personal example as a woman created an appealing, if ambiguous, path for other professional women. A century later her legacy continues to echo in social work and welfare reform.