2319 심우진

We can contribute to society by advocating for vulnerable populations, analyzing structural inequality, and building fair social systems for everyone. Through additional research outside of class, I learned about Jane Addams, a pioneer in modern social work and a transformative figure in sociology. Before her groundbreaking social movement began in the late nineteenth century, poor immigrants, child workers, and impoverished families had been overlooked by mainstream society and political institutions for decades. To solve these deep-rooted systemic problems, Jane Addams herself co-founded Hull House in Chicago, creating a supportive community center where underprivileged people could access free education, reliable childcare, legal aid, and healthcare services. I was deeply moved and inspired by her lifelong commitment to fighting for social justice and human dignity. At that time, basic welfare policies and workplace safety standards for marginalized groups had been ignored by existing legal frameworks. Furthermore, Addams herself fearlessly spoke up in public to advocate for strict child labor laws, workers' rights, and women's suffrage despite facing severe public backlash and political opposition. Before her tireless campaigns and sociological studies were published, severe urban poverty had not been viewed as a shared social responsibility that required institutional solutions. This inspiring history motivated me to pursue a future career in the humanities and social sciences, specifically focusing on public policy, human rights, and social research. I myself aspire to analyze complex societal issues and design inclusive policies that protect human dignity. Just as essential social reforms had been delayed in the past due to a lack of passionate advocates, many vulnerable groups in our contemporary society still suffer from institutional neglect. In my future career, I myself will apply Jane Addams’s humanistic values by utilizing research and policy analysis to build a more equitable world.