From Charity to Social Work: Mary E. Richmond and the Creation of an American Profession, Volume 13Mary 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. |
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
A Craving for Friendship | 17 |
Literature the Social Gospel and the Work of Charity | 36 |
Organized Charity Friendly Visiting and the Social | 62 |
Families and the Circle of Reform | 95 |
Shaping a Civic Profession | 132 |
Social Work in the Great | 168 |
Common terms and phrases
Addams's American argued assistance Baltimore century charity organization movement charity organization societies charity societies charity workers child Christian church cial civic claimed Club Colcord and Mann colleagues commitment culture described Despite Devine discussion economic emerging emphasis expertise Flexner focus Folder Frances Perkins Frank Bruno Friendly Visiting friends friendship Glenn historian human Ibid ideal idem individual interview Jane Addams Josephine Shaw Lowell labor leaders legislation literature living marriage Mary Richmond MERA mond mond's moral mothers NCCC offered pauperism pensions Perkins Philadelphia Philanthropy poor poverty practical practitioners profession Pumphrey quote reflected relationship relief religious responsibility Rich role Russell Sage Foundation Ruth Mann shared social casework social gospel social reform Social Settlements social workers tion tuberculosis Unitarian Valin Victorian visitors volunteers Weld welfare widows woman women WSCW York School Zilpha Smith
References to this book
Democratic Communications: Formations, Projects, Possibilities James Frederick Hamilton Limited preview - 2008 |