Alzina Stevens
Encyclopedia
Alzina Stevens (May 27, 1849 - June 3, 1900) was an American labor leader and journalist
, active in Hull House
. Stevens was born in Parsonsfield, Maine
to Enoch Parsons and Louise Page. Although her early marriage ended in divorce, she kept her husband's name.
By thirteen, she worked in a local textile company where she lost her right index finger in an accident. Stevens saw her missing finger as a constant reminder of the need to improve working conditions and regulate child labour.
In 1867, she moved to Chicago and found work in the printing trade as a typesetter and proof-reader. She became active in the trade unions, notably as one of the leaders of the Knights of Labor
in Chicago.
In 1892 Stevens became a resident of Hull House
where she joined other social reformers such as Jane Addams
, Ellen Gates Starr
, and Sophonisba Breckinridge
at the settlement. Stevens became one of the few women involved at Hull House who had first-hand experience of working-class life.
In 1893, Stevens became Florence Kelley
's assistant as the state's factory inspector and together the two women helped John Peter Altgeld
to pass and enforce legislation that controlled child labour in Illinois
. This included a law limiting women and children to a maximum eight-hour day. This success was short-lived and in 1895 the Illinois Association of Manufacturers got the law repealed.
In 1896, Stevens became the first probation officer of the recently established Cook County Juvenile Court Committee.
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
, active in Hull House
Hull House
Hull House is a settlement house in the United States that was co-founded in 1889 by Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr. Located in the Near West Side of , Hull House opened its doors to the recently arrived European immigrants. By 1911, Hull House had grown to 13 buildings. In 1912 the Hull...
. Stevens was born in Parsonsfield, Maine
Parsonsfield, Maine
Parsonsfield is a town in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,584 at the 2000 census. Parsonsfield includes the villages of Kezar Falls, Parsonsfield, and North, East and South Parsonsfield...
to Enoch Parsons and Louise Page. Although her early marriage ended in divorce, she kept her husband's name.
By thirteen, she worked in a local textile company where she lost her right index finger in an accident. Stevens saw her missing finger as a constant reminder of the need to improve working conditions and regulate child labour.
In 1867, she moved to Chicago and found work in the printing trade as a typesetter and proof-reader. She became active in the trade unions, notably as one of the leaders of the Knights of Labor
Knights of Labor
The Knights of Labor was the largest and one of the most important American labor organizations of the 1880s. Its most important leader was Terence Powderly...
in Chicago.
In 1892 Stevens became a resident of Hull House
Hull House
Hull House is a settlement house in the United States that was co-founded in 1889 by Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr. Located in the Near West Side of , Hull House opened its doors to the recently arrived European immigrants. By 1911, Hull House had grown to 13 buildings. In 1912 the Hull...
where she joined other social reformers such as Jane Addams
Jane Addams
Jane Addams was a pioneer settlement worker, founder of Hull House in Chicago, public philosopher, sociologist, author, and leader in woman suffrage and world peace...
, Ellen Gates Starr
Ellen Gates Starr
Ellen Gates Starr was an American social reformer and activist.-Biography:...
, and Sophonisba Breckinridge
Sophonisba Breckinridge
Sophonisba Preston Breckinridge was an American activist, Progressive Era social reformer, social scientist and innovator in higher education.- Background :...
at the settlement. Stevens became one of the few women involved at Hull House who had first-hand experience of working-class life.
In 1893, Stevens became Florence Kelley
Florence Kelley
Florence Kelley was an American social and political reformer. Her work against sweatshops and for the minimum wage, eight-hour workdays, and children's rights is widely regarded today.-Family:...
's assistant as the state's factory inspector and together the two women helped John Peter Altgeld
John Peter Altgeld
John Peter Altgeld was the 20th Governor of the U.S. state of Illinois from 1893 until 1897. He was the first Democratic governor of that state since the 1850s...
to pass and enforce legislation that controlled child labour in Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. This included a law limiting women and children to a maximum eight-hour day. This success was short-lived and in 1895 the Illinois Association of Manufacturers got the law repealed.
In 1896, Stevens became the first probation officer of the recently established Cook County Juvenile Court Committee.