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

Woman Citizen, February 23, 1918

Woman Citizen Feb 23 1918.jpg

"For Justice And Mercy Women's Over Sea Hospital Unit Sails For France" Cover illustration by C. D. Batchelor Two-page spread "Women's Oversea…

American Federation of Labor Song

Baylor Univ Libraries_AFL song.jpg

Illustrated title page in blue, white and black with the seal of the American Federation of Labor and 4 small scenes of a printer, machinist,…

The Case Against the Red Light

M 9 Box 54 Case Against the Red Light cover crop rsz .jpg

Venereal disease bulletin, no. 54. Public health pamphlet arguing that prostitution spreads venereal disease and cannot be "segregated, licensed, and…