Speech #760081967

Grace Abbott was never afraid to speak boldly in behalf of the childhood of America. She spoke with authority. having first armed herself with a knowledge of the facts. The protection of mothers and children. the control of child labor. the care of the dependent and delinquent child. the safeguarding of the interests of immigrants and aliens. the relief of unemployed engaged the constructive interest. sympathetic understanding. and courageous support of this remarkable woman who represented the best that women have to contribute to public life. Thousands of mothers and children are alive today who. might have died but for the beneficent activities which Grace Abbott initiated or furthered. the boundaries of our knowledge of childrens needs have been widened by the invaluable research and educational work carried on by the United States Childrens Bureau under her able direction. cooperative relationship between the Federal Government and the States. has been greatly strengthened by the methods of administration developed by Miss Abbott through the years. In addition. and more important still. thousands of individual fathers and mothers have been helped in their creative task of rearing the future citizens of our country as a result of Miss Abbotts insistence that the test of our civilization is what it does for children.