"The national sense of humor was aroused by the grim fact that whereas the Federal Government concerned itself with the conservation of material wealth, mines and forests, hogs and lobsters, and had long since established bureaus to supply information concerning them, citizens who desired instruction and guidance for the conservation and protection of the children of the nation had no responsible governmental body to which to appeal."

Lillian Wald, The House on Henry Street

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Federal Children's Bureau

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"a great step forward in social welfare."

In regards to the creation of the Federal Children's Bureau
Lillian Wald, The American City

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In 1903, Lillian Wald conceived of the idea of a Federal Children's Bureau. Wald campaigned tirelessly for the concept to become a reality. The Federal Children's Bureau would address the physical and mental needs of children. 

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*Click pictures for more information

Lillian Wald and Florence Kelley were having morning, coffee, when they conferred over the idea of a federal bureau that would collect and distribute information on children. Source: Library of Congress, LC-DIG-nclc-04942

In 1904, Lillian Wald joined a group of Progressive reformers called the National Child Labor Committee who were working to abolish child labor and promote children's health. Source: Fine Art America-Everett, 1910

The NCLC hired a photographer named Lewis Wickes Hine to document child labor in pictures. This picture, taken by Lewis Hine, depicts a 5 year old boy in 1911 picking shrimp. Source: Library of Congress, LC-DIG-nclc-00828

In 1909, the While House began a series of White House Conferences on Children and Youth that brought together 200 leaders to discuss the degrading effects of factories on children. Source: Dwight D. Eisenhower Library, 1909

On April 9, 1912, President William Howard Taft signed the law that established the Federal Children's Bureau. The new bureau would investigate and report on all matters pertaining to the welfare of children. Source: Maternal and Child Health Library, 1912

Julia Lathrop was named the first Chief of the Federal Children's Bureau. Source: Vassar Encyclopedia, Year Unknown

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