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Power in the midst of powerlessness: The contributions of Sophonisba P. Breckinridge to social work during the formative years of the profession

Altany, Catherine
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1056567939

Abstract Details

1992, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Social Welfare.
The study examines the nature of women's influence in establishing and shaping the profession of social work, through a biographical case study of a social work pioneer, Sophonisba P. Breckinridge (1866-1948). Women's activities and influence in social work have most often been analyzed as an extension of their femininity and domestic service in the public domain. The study recognizes that social work also offered unique opportunities for college educated women at the turn of the century to create careers for themselves, as well as lives that were independent and powerful. The study examines Breckinridge's involvement in social work within a cultural, social and professional context, which converged to create opportunities for women to share power, influence and status with men in formulating the guiding principles of social work education. Breckinridge's contributions to social work have been documented in the current literature; however, there has been little analysis of the relationship between her educational background at the University of Chicago, and her activities in the early woman's rights movement, in influencing her involvement in social work. By addressing th is deficit, the study illustrates Breckinridge's own brand of social work, and the strength of this model in her successful efforts to establish the Graduate School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago. The evidence suggests that two primary sources of experience and support were necessary for Breckinridge to secure a position for herself in the developing profession. Her access to traditionally male institutions and a male advocate, represented one source of influence in her ability to accomplish her goals. Also, her close affiliation with a female mentor and a powerful group of women social scientist/reformers at Hull House, enabled her to emerge as a social work pioneer and leader in the woman's rights movement. This historical perspective illuminates the diverse personalities, backgrounds and views that established and shaped the profession. In an era when women were relatively powerless, Breckinridge's success in merging the values between female and male sources of power, provides a model for contemporary feminist leadership in social work, in combatting current inequities in the profession and in society at large.
Howard Goldstein (Advisor)
244 p.
Sophonisba P. Breckinridge social work

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Altany, C. (1992). Power in the midst of powerlessness: The contributions of Sophonisba P. Breckinridge to social work during the formative years of the profession [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1056567939

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Altany, Catherine. Power in the midst of powerlessness: The contributions of Sophonisba P. Breckinridge to social work during the formative years of the profession. 1992. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1056567939.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Altany, Catherine. "Power in the midst of powerlessness: The contributions of Sophonisba P. Breckinridge to social work during the formative years of the profession." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 1992. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1056567939

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

case1056567939
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© 1992, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.