Explore the history of American social reform and social services 

The Social Welfare History Image Portal brings together photographs, pamphlets, artifacts and documents chronicling the history of the nation's response to human need. This history includes the work of volunteer organizations, reform movements, social workers, and government legislation and systems.

Featured Items

Suffrage Rally, May 1, 1915, Richmond, Va. [photographs]

VCU_M 9 Box 239 ESL of Va suffrage rally Capitol Square near the Washington Monumnent May 1 1915 rsz.jpg

These photographs document a suffrage rally held on the south portico of the Virginia Capitol on May 1, 1915. Dr. E. N. Calisch, rabbi of Congregation…

“V is for Virginia” [broadside]

VMHC_Broadside.1944.4VHS rsz.jpg

In 1944, military leaders struggled to maintain troop levels as casualties mounted in World War II. The Navy Women’s Reserve Act, signed into law in…

National Silk Dye Workers on strike

American Labor Mus_Silk Dye Workers Nancy Sandusky rsz.jpg

Silk dye workers just before arrest. Nancy Sandowsky at center.