Jane Addams visited London as a young woman. There, she learned about social settlements, which are community centers that exist to help people.
After she returned home to Chicago, she opened Hull House in 1889. It eventually grew to occupy 13 buildings. Immigrants from many places would gather there to eat, socialize, and learn skills to help themselves succeed. Hull House inspired people to build similar community centers in other cities. Addams went on to help found many organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union. She was also the first American woman to be honored with the Nobel Peace Prize.
