Fannie Emanuel facts for kids
Dr. Fannie Hagen Emanuel (born July 31, 1871 – died March 31, 1934) was an American doctor and community leader. She worked in Chicago during the early 1900s. In 1908, she started the Emanuel Settlement House in Chicago.
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Her Early Life and Family
Fannie Hagan was born and grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. She finished Old Gains High School with great grades. Later, she moved to Chicago, Illinois.
On February 28, 1888, she married William Emanuel. He ran a business that focused on foot care. Fannie helped her husband by managing the money for his business. Their foot care clinic stayed open in the Chicago Loop area for over 35 years.
Fannie and William had four children: a daughter named Juanita, and three sons named William, Floyd, and McKinley. In the 1920s, their family spent summers in Idlewild, Michigan.
Helping Her Community
In 1908, Fannie Emanuel took classes in Chicago. She learned about how to help communities. Later that year, she opened the Emanuel House. This was a settlement house on Armour Avenue in Chicago.
A settlement house was a place that offered help to people in a neighborhood. Fannie's goal was to "inspire higher ideals." She wanted to "purify the social condition." She also wanted to "encourage thrift and neighborhood pride." This meant helping people live better lives. She wanted them to be proud of their community.
The Emanuel House had a kindergarten for young children. It also offered cooking and sewing classes. There were clubs for boys and girls. A free dental clinic helped people with their teeth. The house also had a place to help adults find jobs.
The Emanuel House was in a mostly Black neighborhood. This area was known as the Black Belt. But Fannie's settlement house welcomed people of all races. The Emanuel Settlement House closed in 1912.
Becoming a Doctor
Fannie Emanuel went to medical school. She started at Jenner Medical College. Then, in 1911, she went to the Chicago Hospital College of Medicine. This school is now part of Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. She earned her medical degree in 1915. This was not long after she became a grandmother.
After graduating, she opened her own doctor's office. Her office was in the Roosevelt State Bank Building in Chicago.
Other Important Work
Dr. Emanuel was also involved in many groups. She served on the board of the Phillis Wheatley Club. This group worked to improve the lives of African-American women. She was also active with the YWCA. She joined the Ida B. Wells Women's Club. She helped the Women's Aid of Old Folks Home. She was also part of the Elizabeth Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. She worked with Warden Temple of the Order of Elks. She was also part of the Court of Calanthe. And she was a member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority.
Her Legacy
The Chicago Housing Authority honored Dr. Emanuel. They named a building after her. The Fannie Emanuel Apartments is a 20-story building. It offers affordable homes for seniors. It is located in Chicago's West Garfield Park neighborhood.
