Edith Abbott (l876-l957)

Edith Abbott, an educator, social reformer, and author, became the first woman dean in the School of Social Services at the University of Chicago (l924-l942),and the first dean of a graduate school in an American university. A native of Grand Island, Miss Abbott graduated with honors from Omaha's Brownell Hall in 1893. She taught at a Grand Island high school before attending the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, from which she was graduated in l90l. Abbott earned her Ph.D. degree at the University of Chicago.

As dean of the School of Social Services at the University of Chicago, she advocated field work and training for social workers, and was an advisor for federal aid in relief during the Depression. She also was an advisor to the International Office of the League of Nations. Calling herself a "social investigator" Abbott inquired into problems of women in industry, child labor, immigration, legislation, pensions, wages, and police brutality.

Among the books she authored are Women in Industry, Historical Aspects of Immigration, Crime and the Foreign Born, and Social Welfare and Professional Education.

Edith Abbott died in Grand Island on December l4, l957. The Edith Abbott Memorial Library in Grand Island is named in her honor.