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

Members of the Virginia League of Women Voters, January 1923, Alexandria, Va.

VCU_M 9 Box 242 LWV Convention Alexandria 1923 rsz.jpg

Members of the Virginia League of Women Voters meeting in Alexandria, Virginia on February 3, 1923.Identification from back of photo Left to…

Report of the Legislative Commission For the Blind, 1920-21 [Commonwealth of Virginia]

VCU M12 box2 f3 Legislative Commission for the Blind 1920-21 cover rsz.jpg

A report made to the Governor and Members of the General Assembly of Virginia by the first Commission for the Blind.The report's Appendix includes:…

They Are Advancing

M 9 Box 101_Child Labor Comm They Are Advancing p1 rsz.jpg

Pamphlet advocating for the Child Labor Amendment, passed in 1924, but never ratified.