JANE ADDAMS PEACE ASSOCIATION (JAPA), 1948-1999
[bulk of this history written by Eleanor Barr, 198_; updated by Anne Yoder, Archivist, 09/2000]
HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION
The Jane Addams Peace Association (JAPA) is a tax-exempt fund
that supports educational projects of the U.S. Section of the Women's
International League for Peace and Freedom. JAPA was incorporated in
Illinois in December 1948 and was granted tax-exempt status by the
federal government in 1951.
The purpose of JAPA, as stated in the certificate of incorporation,
is "to foster a better understanding between the peoples of the world
toward the end that wars may be avoided and a more lasting peace
enjoyed. Such purpose shall be achieved solely through educational
means and it shall not be the purpose of the Association to urge the
passage or defeat of any legislation directed toward the achievement
of this goal."
Prior to JAPA's incorporation, a committee known as the Jane Addams
Peace Fund Committee or the Jane Addams Memorial Fund Committee had
raised money for special projects, particularly for the international
work of WILPF. Mabel Wing Castle had chaired this committee from 1942
to 1948. She became the first president of JAPA's Board of Directors,
serving until her death in 1950.
JAPA maintains an office in New York near the United Nations (777
United Nations Plaza; 212-682-8830). Ruth Chalmers served as
Executive Director from 1948 to 1990. Since then the Executive
Directors have been Karen Gellen, Andrea Spencer-Linzie, Eurydice
Kelley, Dilys Purdy (1999-2000) and Aisha Dyfan (Aug. 2000 - ).
JAPA's work is financed through voluntary contributions, bequests and
annuities. A variety of educational projects have been supported by
JAPA over the years, including international conferences, educational
publications for peace and justice, and scholarship funds. Major past
projects include Art for World Friendship, and the Committee for
World Development and World Disarmament. Art for World Friendship was
an exchange of original drawings and paintings between children of
the United States and other countries. Founded in 1946 as a local
WILPF project, AWF was supported by JAPA from 1951 until it was
discontinued in 1968 [records of AWF, 1945-1969, are in DG
066]. The Committee for World Development and World Disarmament
(CDWDW) originated in 1950 as the (Special) Committee for World
Reconstruction and World Disarmament. For twenty years, this
committee published material and organized national, regional and
local conferences on world disarmament and economic development.
CWDWD conducted extensive research on these issues and provided
publications and other services to many other organizations [the
bulk of the CWDWD collection is in DG 069].
The Jane Addams Children's Book Award has been presented since 1958
by JAPA and WILPF to the author of a book that they judge most
effective in promoting the cause of peace, social justice and world
community. Many of the award-winning books are available in the
SCPC.
JAPA has sponsored a number of meetings with women of other countries
to discuss mutual concerns relating to world peace. Past conferences
have been hold in the United States and abroad, with Soviet, Polish
and Latin American women.
Jane Addams House in Philadelphia, a building that houses the
national office of the U.S. Section of WILPF, is owned and maintained
by JAPA. Prior to 1955, this house was owened by the Pennsylvania
Branch of WILPF. From 1946-1970, Jane Addams House was located at
2006 Walnut Street. Offices in the building were rented to several
other peace organizations in addition to WILPF. On March 23, 1970, a
fire of suspicious origin caused extensive damage to the Jane Addams
House. After considerable study and discussion over whether national
heaquarters should remain in Philadelphia, it was decided in 1971 to
stay and in 1972 a house as 1213 Race Street was purchased,
renovated, and later dedicated as the new Jane Addams House.
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