Born in 1860, she lost her parents who died young,
Leaving her money, so she travelled – to London’s East End,
Exposing herself to a center educating the poor, a key,
She felt, to social integration, reducing misery.
She began Hull House to address these needs in Chicago,
And fought against child labor and for education.
She criticized deeply America’s participation in WWI and so
Was branded a traitor. So she created an organization
Of women for peace, which held meetings during Versailles,
Sending resolutions, demanding an end to a food blockade
Starving families, and seeking Germany’s reparations be modified.
Her position, voters’ rights for women, she felt, would best aid
The cause of Peace in the world, since they would moderate
Men’s natural tendencies to fight and to hate.
June Edvenson 