Thought: The secret of achievement is to not let what you're doing get to you before you get to it.
Biblical text: "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." (Proverbs 16:3)
Jane was only seven years old when she visited a shabby street in a nearby town, and seeing ragged children there, announced that she wanted to build a big house so poor children will have a place to play. As a young adult, Jane and a friend, Ellen Starr, visited Toynbee Hall in London, where they saw educated people helping the poor by living among them. She and Ellen returned to the slums of Chicago, restored the old Hull mansion, and moved in! There they cared for children of working mothers, and held sewing and cooking classes. Older boys and girls had clubs at the mansion. An art gallery, playground, and public music, reading, and craft rooms were crafted in the mansion. Her childhood dream came true!
Jane fought against child labour laws and campaigned for adult education, day nurseries, better housing, and women's suffrage. She eventually was awarded an honorary degree from Yale, was called "America's most useful citizen" by President Theodore Roosevelt, and was given the Nobel Prize for Peace.
No matter how famous she became Jane Addams remained a resident of Hull House. She died a resident of Halsted Street in the heart of the slum she had come to call home.
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