Targets of Reform

Criminal Women and Delinquent Children

As the Chicago Woman’s Club considered the numerous problems afflicting Chicago, two groups emerged as critical targets of reform: incarcerated women and juvenile delinquents.  Clubwomen saw it befitting of their positions to provide the maternal care and protection that they believed the wards of the state desperately needed.  Reforming criminal women and delinquent children was an important work of philanthropy and of crime prevention in the eyes of the CWC.   A list of accomplishments from a 1919 Bulletin reveals how the majority of the Club’s work revolved around incriminated women and children.  As President O’Connor stated in 1911: “What could be more fitting for our Club to do?  Woman’s work for the women and children by women!”