In fact, there are now more than 200 Catholic Worker House around the United States. Most offer food and shelter to homeless individuals. Some have been doing it for 50 years or more.
These social service organizations are part of the legacy of Dorothy Day,
who started the Catholic Worker Movement in the 1920s with several friends. She died more than 20 years ago, but the social work she started is now more widespread than at any time during her life.
Despite her lifetime commitment to social work with the poor, Day is seldom mentioned in the story of the development of the social work profession. Look through social work histories and you're not likely to find any references to her or to the Catholic Worker. (There is a brief mention of her in Phyllis Day's "A New History of Social Work.)
Why hasn't social work claimed Dorothy Day as part of its history? That's not clear. Perhaps because she appears too radical -- she did ask that one live as well as work with the poor. Perhaps because of her strong religious faith -- she was outspoken in linking her Catholic belief to her work. Or perhaps because she didn't do research on "outcomes" of her work with the homeless -- she said that how you lived your life is all that really mattered.
Whatever the reasons, she is largely absent from the list of founding mothers. Yet she remains an important influence in the lives of many involved in social work. To learn more about her life and impact,check out the Catholic Worker website: www.catholicworker.org. Also look for a film called "Entertaining Angels" which highlights Day's early years with the Catholic Worker.
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11 comments:
It is interesting to think that Day is not mentioned much when it comes to social work history. She did make quite a contribution to the field and it is a shame that she is not recognized for that. I was trying to think of places in Sioux Falls that are Catholic based and the Good Shepard Center came to mind. The Center has a day time drop in shelter where people can shower and wash their clothes. I think this is an interesting place because it fills the day time gap that many shelters do not have. I know that at some shelters you have to leave early in the morning and can't return until late at night so places like this fill the gap in services to the homeless. I am guessing that this is a good example of the type of places that Day cofounded. I know that these services are alive and well in the community and hope that they continue to help the homeless in every community.
Pam
I have been reading some of the journals and columns of Dorothy Day in the past year or so. I have wondered if she and Jane Addams ever met. As far as I can tell, the answer is no. But Day did review a book of essays by Jane Addams for the New York Times. That was some years after Addams' death (1935).
I recently read an article Day wrote: Poverty and Precarity. She talks about society needs to always think about poverty so it doesn't fade away from us. I really enjoy her writings and think she has a lot to say. She said that when a community is always building and making things better there is nothing left for the poor. It makes me really remember what is important in life because really I have everything I need and so many have nothing. she may not have been recognized then for anything much like Addams but they sure are now at least to me.
I do feel bad that Day is not more well known for her lifetime work; but maybe she wanted it that way, it may be part of her personality. Maybe she thought good, honest work does not need to be "researched", it just needs to be done. If that is the reason or part of the reason, I admire her for that. Many people do want the recognition for their hard work, which is completely understandable. I just hope she realized how many people she was helping and how many to this day she continues to help with all her hard work.
You make a good point, Cyndi. Dorothy Day didn't like a lot of attention (except for attention which brought support for the Hospitality Houses). She was particularly upset with people who called her a "saint."
Isn't if funny how Day is hardle mentioned in the role of social work? It seems to me that she did a lot for it.
My point of view may be a little off point but to me what I think about this article or why Dorothy Day didn't like attention was because Dorothy Day once said "How you live your life is all that really matters." If you really think about it, what she said really does make a lot of sense. When we're old and we begin to fall apart all we can pretty much do is just think back on all the things we did, how we lived our lives and that is what will matter to us the most. Then we can really be at peace with ourselves by just knowing that what we did, even though we didn't form a hospitality house or do something great to that extent, just the little things, you know, like holding a door open for someone or carrying groceries for an elderly person whatever it was in your life that made you feel good in your heart about what you did for another person. Maybe that's what she meant, just giving back. How many of you have ever just been thankful for being alive for having the gift of life? How many of you ever wanted to give back to society in your own special way? Maybe that's what Dorothy did. Maybe that's why she didn't like it when people called her a saint because she in her mind, in her heart was giving back to society in her own way, the way she wanted to. Dorothy Day makes an excellent role model for Social Workers, people will continue to remember her for her work whether she wanted to be remembered or not.
Cassandra LS
We should all go into social work with the feeling of wanting to help and not so much being recognized for it. Just appreciated for it by our clients. I think that's how maybe she wanted it.She probably didn't care so much that she was not mentioned in print as much as it was for her to leave a print of hope and love for her "clients."
I believe that Day was working to help others and not looking to be recognized. I agree with Reagan on how she wanted to leave an impression on her clients more then others or being mentioned in print for the many things she did for Social Work.
I agree with Jennifer and Reagan. Dorothy Day is only a women of quiet character and only cares that her clients should matter more then what the public eye thinks of her.
Mele Seini
Dorthy seems to be a lady that wants to help but doesn't want to be given credit for her work. She did it for the recognition that she helped someone not the praise.
Kristina Thu
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