Who Is Your Hero?

Do you have a personal hero? Tell us about them. It doesn’t have to be perfect to make a difference in someone else’s life.

Your Everyday Hero: Jane A.

Jane A. started the Hull House in Chicago in 1889 as a community center offering support to the children and adults in the neighborhood. She was a broad thinker and activist and helped bring a number of great facilities to her community including: night school for adults, kindergarten classes, clubs for older kids, a community kitchen, a coffee house, a library, a gymnasium, an art gallery, arts program, and community theater.

She was also an ardent advocate for labor rights, women, immigrants and children at a time when it was practically unknown. She truly embraced the diversity and richness of her urban community and actively worked to improve the quality of life and civic engagement of the people of Chicago. She is my hero because she had the chutzpah and vision and intuition to make our communities stronger by bringing them together.

Story was submitted anonymously