“The
national sense of humor was aroused by the grim fact that whereas the
Federal Government concerned itself with the conservation of material
wealth, mines and forests, hogs and lobsters, and had long since
established bureaus to supply information concerning them, citizens who
desired instruction and guidance for the conservation and protection of
the children of the nation had no responsible governmental body to
which to appeal.”
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In 1904, Wald had joined a group of Progressive reformers
working to abolish child labor, promote children’s health, and reclaim
children who dropped out of school. Calling themselves the National
Child Labor Committee, they used $100,000 in private funds for
investigations, but then concluded that any proposed changes would
work only if legislated and enforced by the federal government. Wald
conceived of the Federal Children’s Bureau in 1905 and campaigned
for it tirelessly. When it was finally established in 1912, she
commented that it was “a great step forward
in social welfare.” In addition, the fact that Wald and
her coalition of female advocates had succeeded in creating a voice
for women who did not yet have the right to vote or formally exercise
political power, was, for Wald, “a symbol
of the most hopeful aspect of America...its existence is enormously
significant.” |
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source | full image
source | full image
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