In the settlement houses, American women taught immigrant women about "American" culture and government and also educated Americans about the various cultures of the immigrants. These settlement houses also offered childcare for working parents, health care, English classes, community theater, and many other social outlets These settlement houses were perceived as "hotbeds of progressive reform" and "spearheads for reform." Reformers during the Progressive Era aimed to resolve the problems of American society that had developed during the major growth of industrial growth that was seen in the U.S. (USHistory.com. 2002). The frontier had been tamed, great cities and businesses had blossomed, but not all American citizens shared in this new wealth and optimism.

The majority of social problems during this era were addressed by professional social workers, most of which were female, who ran settlement houses in an effort to protect and improve the living and working conditions of the poor.

Before the Progressive Era, the social and economic insecurities that came with old age, unemployment, disability, and poverty were met by religious, family or community efforts (Encyclopedia of Chicago, 2002). In most cases, these efforts provided minimal aid. Wealthy families purchased private insurance, and workers' families joined mutual benefit or aid societies to receive death benefits. The first major expansion in public provision came during the Progressive Era, when social workers and activists fought for government assistance for children, the poor, the disabled, and the mentally ill.

Social workers and activists played a major role in the Progressive Era, as they challenged the traditional ideas of a limited state as they created plans for social insurance and increased municipal services (Encyclopedia of Chicago,...

By the 1920s, evidence of a new approach to social services was found in newly legislated programs like worker's compensation and programs for working mothers; an expanded governmental infrastructure including juvenile courts and social service divisions; and strongly coordinated benefits between public and private groups.
By highlighting the social issues of the time, Progressive reformers produced a major transformation in American legal institutions and in the American way of life. In conclusion, progressive reformers created many institutions and policies that remain firmly in place today, and progressive reform would not have been successful without the participation of women. Women and women's organizations worked relentlessly on countless social and reform issues. By the end of the Progressive Era, social workers and activists, many of which were women, in towns and cities across the United States were making unprecedented efforts to promote suffrage, education, child labor laws, unions, and liquor prohibition.

References

Campbell, Diance. Dore, Janice. (2002). The Nile of New England: A Study of the History of a Connecticut River Valley Town Over Three Centuries. Unit 3: The Progressive Era 1880-1920. Frontier Regional School District.

Encyclopedia of Chicago. (2002). Social Services. Retrieved from the Internet at http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1160.html.

Muncy, Robyn. (2003). Women and the Progressive Era. University of Maryland -- College Park. Retrieved from the Internet at http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/pwwmh/prog.htm.

USHistory.com. (2002). The Progressive Movement. Retrieved from the Internet at http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1061.html.

Public Relations -- Reflection of Hurricane Katrina on George W. Bush's Ratings