Florence Kelley

Date of Birth: September 12, 1859

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: February 17, 1932

Biography

Florence Kelley was a pioneering social and political reformer in the United States, renowned for her tireless work in advocating for labor rights, children’s rights, and social justice. Born into a progressive family in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Kelley was exposed to the ideas of social reform from an early age. Her father, William D. Kelley, was a founder of the Republican Party and a staunch supporter of Abraham Lincoln. Kelley pursued her education rigorously, attending Cornell University and later studying law at Northwestern University. Her career as an activist began in earnest when she joined Jane Addams’ Hull House in Chicago. There, she embarked on groundbreaking work to improve labor conditions, focusing on the plight of women and children in the workforce. Kelley’s most notable achievement was her role in the establishment of the National Consumers League, which advocated for fair labor practices and improved working conditions. She was also instrumental in the passage of important labor legislation, including laws that regulated child labor and established minimum wage standards. Kelley continued her advocacy work up until her death, leaving behind a legacy of social justice and reform.

5 Interesting Facts about Florence Kelley

1. Kelley was one of the first women to graduate from Cornell University.

2. She translated and published the first English version of Friedrich Engels’ “The Condition of the Working Class in England.”

3. Kelley served as the first General Secretary of the National Consumers League.

4. She played a crucial role in the establishment of the U.S. Children’s Bureau in 1912.

5. Kelley was a member of the Socialist Party and was actively involved in the women’s suffrage movement.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Florence Kelley

1. “The children of today are the nation’s future.”

2. “To live means to buy, to buy means to have power, to have power means to have responsibility.”

3. “The immorality of child labor lies in its robbery of the child’s right to a normal childhood.”

4. “The demand for justice always leads to the torments of the oppressors.”

5. “A child laborer is a slave of the industrial world.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Florence Kelley’s work was primarily in the nonprofit sector, and as such, she did not accumulate significant personal wealth. Her legacy is measured by her impact on social reforms rather than financial net worth.

Children

Florence Kelley had three children: Nicholas, Margaret, and John. Her children continued to uphold her values and contribute to social justice in various ways throughout their lives.