Abbott, Grace (1878-1939)

US social worker and activist. From 1919 Abbott was the director of the federal Children's Bureau, later becoming president of the National Conference of Social Workers (1923-24), and an adviser to the League of Nations (1922-34). She campaigned for the fair treatment of children and immigrants throughout her life.

Grace Abbott studied at the universities of Nebraska and Chicago. In 1908 she went to live at Chicago's Hull House to head the Immigrants' Protective League. The author of forceful articles exposing the exploitation of immigrants, she also campaigned for child labour laws, and administered grants to provide health care for mothers and children. She was professor of public welfare at the University of Chicago 1934-39.