Knit to This
Knit to This: Jane Addams
While I have not yet cast on my own version of the Addams Cardigan, I’ve been watching a documentary about the person it was named after: American reformer and wearer of long jackets Jane Addams. If anybody deserves a namesake coatigan, it’s Jane Addams—and about damn time!
Addams lived from 1860-1935, and was a lifelong, fulltime, full-on activist, with the FBI file to show for it. As a young adult, Addams famously founded Hull House, the first settlement house in the United States, in the slums of Chicago.
Her lifelong work on behalf of immigrants and the poor evolved and expanded throughout her 74 years, and led to accomplishments as diverse as being among the founders of the NAACP, and being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
And now there is a Norah Gaughan cardigan named after her. Talk about immortality!
Jane Addams: Together We Rise, an episode of the documentary series Chicago Stories, is a great way to get to know more about both Addams’s life and American history.
I was particularly moved by the story of when journalist Ida B. Wells rightfully criticized Addams for an anti-lynching editorial she wrote that badly missed the mark. Addams listened and engaged with Wells’s critique, changing both her mind and her actions. Although the rebuke surely must have stung, she kept moving forward.
The lesson seems so resonant right now. We can’t change our former blind spots or beliefs, but we can’t just regret them. We have to keep going and we have to do better.
You can watch Jane Addams: Together We Rise via the link at the top of this post.
We have to do better. Thank you.
We must do better… and never lose hope. We can fly and with hope and hard work, we can soar.
Thank you Kay.
Jane Addams was a marvelous person – even when she made mistakes. I grew up in the same area that she did and am proud to say that this area recognizes – and celebrates – her accomplishments.
Such a strong, influential woman! We owe her so much. She showed the democracy works.
Thank you for sharing beyond the scope of crafting. You are educating us on many levels.
I recently read Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray about Frances Perkins, the first woman cabinet secretary in FDR‘s administration. She is considered the driving force behind the creation of Social Security, the first government sponsored safety net program. After graduating college she went to teach in Lake Forest Illinois and volunteered at Hull House, working with Jane Addams. I mention this because not only did Jane Addams do great good in her own time, she created a legacy that inspired others to carry it forward.
Thanks for the reminding me about Jane Addams. The Hull House, and the people behind it, was big in my childhood in Oklahoma. Several people from my parish moved to Chicago to work there in the late 60s/early 70s, including the Dominican nuns. I’m happy to put this pattern on my to-do list and to watch the links above.
Now I’m off to the library to vote, a small but huge role in a democracy.
Happy Sunday everybody!
Thank you for this. It is so important right now to remember women like Jane and to follow their example of courage and conviction. A lovely sweater as a tribute to a lovely woman. What could be a better way of honoring Jane?
Thanks for the link and the inspiration. I went through a phase in grade school reading a series called The Childhood of Famous Americans. I now shudder to think what may be found there, but the one book that I really remember is “Jane Addams of Hull House!”
I had a Value Tales book about her!
An inspirational article. I loved finding out more about Jane Addams. And we can and must do better.
Not only I am looking forward to learning more about Jane Addams, I’m excited to find this series. Looks like there are several intriguing episodes about one of my favorite places.
And yes, we must do better. We must.
How have I missed this until now? Thank you!
Thank you
My husband worked for Hull House ages ago, when we lived in Chicago as young newlyweds. They did such great work in so many areas – very inspiring! Looking forward to watching the documentary.
The 30th of October as my nerves are at the worst and it will be for the next six days. Reading about Jane Addams is giving me a ray of hope.
Thank you
Thank you so much for including this documentary! I had heard of Jane Addams, but i had no idea of what she did exactly. The video was an eye opener, and i will look for more information about her.
I love it when designers share a short paragraph at the top of their Ravelry pattern with the details explaining what (or in this case WHO) inspired the design. This inside info on why Norah Gaughan named it Addams Cardigan isn’t anywhere but here. Perhaps consider adding it? To remind and/or spark new interest in Jane Addams?