Tributes to Grace Abbott

"A great humanitarian and true friend of the mothers and children of the nation."

Franklin D. Roosevelt, United States President

"Few in this world have done as much good for suffering humanity as she has accomplished. We love to honor our leaders, but too often we forget the noble men and women who, like Grace Abbott, have, silently and unknown, accomplished more for the betterment of humanity than has come from the clamor and publicity which surround the acts of the powerful and influential."

George W. Norris, United States Senator from Nebraska

"I wish much that the whole story of (her work) against the exploitation of child workers could be recorded for posterity. I do not believe that the American experience would disclose a finer illustration of social invention."

Felix Frankfurter, United States Supreme Court Justice

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"Grace Abbott I regard as one of the greatest women we have ever produced in the United States of America. The example of Grace Abbott's life and work is worth following -- insight developed by direct contact with poverty and trouble. She summoned her courage and her patience and applied adroitly the solutions to the situation."

Frances Perkins, United States Secretary of Labor

"She was among the first who saw all topics from an international or world point of view."

Sophonisba Breckinridge, Dean of Chicago School of Civics and Philanthropy

"Grace Abbott was a great lady who devoted a lifetime of exceptional talent and energy and devotion in improving the welfare of children. Her name will be perpetuated. The memory of her good works and her selfless dedication to children will be revered. I count myself fortunate to have known her. I think she will always be remembered as a champion of justice for all children and a very great public servant in the purest sense of the term."

Adlai Stevenson, Governor of Illinois, Nominee for United States President

"The greatest achievements of the Children's Bureau were the policies so brilliantly carried on by Grace Abbott, which made the women throughout the country -- not alone those organized in federations of clubs and leagues of voters, but the immigrant women living in crowded cities or in mining districts and women living on remote farms -- realize that the Bureau belonged to them and that the government was functioning not only on their behalf, but through their participation. To unite a great source of energy like maternal affection with governmental functions was no small contribution to the art of government, which is so slowly being evolved throughout the centuries."

Jane Addams, Director of Hull House

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"Grace Abbott was one of the great women of our day. Much of the success of the Children's Bureau has been due to her wisdom, tact, and force of character. No one who knew her could help but admire and respect her. She had a strength which we counted on in battle."

Eleanor Roosevelt, United States First Lady

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This is a letter from Eleanor Roosevelt.