Old Folks' Homes for Blacks During the Progressive Era

Authors

Iris Carlton-Laney, University of North Carolina, Charlotte

Abstract

This paper discusses the development of old folks' homes for Blacks during the Progressive Era. Churches, women's clubs, and secret societies played a major role in the development, funding, and operation of these institutions. These groups adhered to the doctrine of self-help and group solidarity which provided impetus for their charitable activities. The members of these organizations believed that leaving "'worthy" indigent Black aged to live out their last years in almshouses was cruel and intolerable. This paper highlights some of the efforts and many of the homes that were established for the Black aged through the cooperation and material support of Black churches, women's clubs, and secret societies.

Recommended Citation

Carlton-Laney, Iris (1989) "Old Folks' Homes for Blacks During the Progressive Era," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 16: Iss. 3, Article 5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.1907
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol16/iss3/5