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

The Southern Frontier, vol. 1, no. 5 [Texas Issue]

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Published by Commission on Interracial Cooperation (CIC), The Southern Frontier was a monthly newsletter, first issued in January, 1940. Aiming to…

Better Babies [suffrage pamphlet]

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National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) pamphlet on how woman suffrage improves children's health. Cover editorial cartoon by Rose O'Neill.…

March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom [publicity flyer]

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The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom took place on 28 August 1963. An estimated 250,000 people attended the massive, peaceful rally, while…