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Zakiya Wade

Ms.Netherton

College Writing

14 December 2016

Jane Addams

What is the true definition of a hero? A hero is someone who is empathic, determined,

compassionate, and is willing to risk something for others.For example, Firefighters risk their

lives to save people and make sure they return home to their families. This shows that not all

heros are dressed in suit with long red capes. The significance of this is to show that a hero can

be an everyday person like a doctor, a police officer, or a personal trainer. Jane Addams is a hero

because she dedicated her life to helping the poor, created social reforms by helping to abolish

child labor, and providing a center to improve the industrial districts in chicago.

A hero is not just someone in a costume with superpowers. A hero is someone who is

caring and brave. For example, military soldiers risk their lives everyday to protect our country

and the people in it. This shows how a hero is brave enough to be willing to risk their lives to

keep people safe. The also shows that a hero care enough about the people to protect them. The

significance of this is to show that not all heros are like what you see on the t.v.

A hero is someone who helps out people in need.On one trip with friend Ellen Gates

Starr, the 27-year-old Jane Addams visited the famed Toynbee Hall in London, England, a

special facility established to help the poor. She and Starr were so impressed by the settlement

house that they sought to create one in Chicago (Biography.com Editors ). This shows that a hero

is someone who cares and actually want to help. This also shows how a hero doesn't just care

about their self. The significance of this is to show that a hero can be an ordinary person.
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Perspectives on a hero differ for each person, but my hero is Jane Addams. In 1860 in

Cedarville, Illinois, a hero was born. Given the name Jane Addams, she was the youngest of

eight children. When she was four, She contracted tuberculosis of the spine, Pott's disease, which

caused a curvature in her spine and lifelong health problems. As a child, she thought she was

"ugly" and did not want not to embarrass her father, when he was dressed in his Sunday best, by

walking down the street with him. In her teen years, Jane had big dreams to do something useful

in the world. She had been interested in the poor from reading Dickens and inspired by her

mother's kindness to help the Cedarville poor, she decided to become a doctor so that she could

live and work among the poor. Her health issues prevented her from pursuing her dreams of

becoming a doctor but she was determined to help the poor another way. In 1889, Addams and

her friend co-founded Hull House, a settlement house in Chicago.

They created Hull House to help people in need. They imagined a place to offer art and

literary education to their less fortunate neighbors. For example,Jane Addams and the Hull-

House residents provided kindergarten and day care facilities for the children of working

mothers; an employment bureau; an art gallery; libraries; English and citizenship classes; and

theater, music and art classes(About Jane Addams). She had an important role in many local and

national organizations. Jane Addams lived and worked in the Hull House until she died in 1935.

She built a reputation as one of the country's most important woman through her writing

,settlement work , and efforts for peace in the country.

Jane Addams is my hero because even though she has struggles of her own, she refuse to

let that stop her from helping others. For example, she actually listen to the poor to help

understand their problems and help them work out the problems in their neighborhoods(Center

for Urban Education). This shows that she really did want to help them not just because just she
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was interested in what she would get in return but because she cared. This is significant because

it shows that a hero would not be interested in the reward they would receive for a good deed.

Addams fit the qualities of a hero because she shows that you don't have to have

superpowers to help the less fortunate. For example, Jane helped the woman to be able to vote

and she helped abolish child labor. This shows that she was able to make a big change in the

world. This also shows that she was genuine and actually wanted to help. This is significant

because it shows that just an ordinary person can help make a big change in the world.

She also fits the qualities of being a hero because she help take care of people and give

them a home. For Example, Jane and her friend opened the hull house to offer art and literary

education to their less fortunate neighbors. This shows that she wanted to help them and offer

them a place to get away from their problems.

Jane Addams is s hero because she dedicated her life to helping the less fortunate and

created social reforms by helping abolish child labor. This paper matters because it shows not all

heros are young people with superpowers wearing a cape, but someone who is actually willing to

make a difference in the world. Jane Addams was a hero she helped women when they were

probably to scared to help themselves. She helped the children when no one else seemed like

they cared. She showed that no matter the challenges you face always stay strong. This is why

she was my hero . So now that you know my definition of a hero, what is yours?