Helen Rand Thayer facts for kids

Helen Rand Thayer was an important American woman who lived from 1863 to 1935. She worked hard to help others and make society better. Helen was a leader in the settlement movement, which created places called "settlement houses" to help people in need. She also helped start and lead the College Settlements Association (CSA). This group helped college graduates get involved in social work. Helen also served on the board of Smith College, where she had studied.

Early Life and Education

Helen Chadwick Rand was born on October 3, 1863, in Morrisania, Bronx, New York. Her parents were Albert Tyler and Sophia Anna (Chadwick) Rand.

Helen went to private schools in Brooklyn, New York. She attended Adelphi Academy in Brooklyn and the Burnham School in Northampton, Massachusetts. She graduated from Smith College in 1884 with a degree. Later, she continued her studies in history at Newnham College, Cambridge in England from 1886 to 1887.

Family Life

On June 29, 1892, Helen married Reverend Lucius Harrison Thayer. They had three children: Dorothy Goldthwait, born in 1893; Lucius Ellsworth, born in 1896; and Sherman Rand, born in 1904.

Working for Social Change

Helen Rand Thayer was a key figure in the settlement movement. This movement aimed to help poor communities by setting up "settlement houses." These houses offered education, healthcare, and other services.

The College Settlements Association

In 1889, Helen Thayer and other Smith College graduates wanted to create a settlement house in the Eastern U.S. At the same time, famous social reformers Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr were starting Hull House in Chicago.

Helen Thayer was a co-founder of the College Settlements Association (CSA). The CSA opened a settlement house on Rivington Street in New York City. Helen became the president of the CSA in 1907. She was also a member of the Executive Board for the Federation of Settlements, which connected many settlement houses across the country.

Fighting for Women's Rights

Helen Thayer was very active in the woman's suffrage movement. This movement worked to gain voting rights for women. She was a member of the Advisory Board for the New Hampshire Equal Suffrage Association. She also joined the College Equal Suffrage League and the Portsmouth Equal Suffrage League.

Supporting Smith College

Helen was a dedicated alumna of Smith College. She served as the vice-president of the Smith College Alumnæ Association. From 1901 to 1907, she was an alumna trustee for the college. During World War I, she led the Smith College Relief Unit, which helped people affected by the war.

Other Community Work

Helen Thayer was involved in many other groups that worked to improve society. She was a member of:

• The Association of Collegiate Alumnae
• The National Congress of Mothers
• The Child Labor Society, which fought against child labor
• The Society of Charities and Correction
• The Association for Labor Legislation

She also served as a director for the New Hampshire Children's Aid Society. During World War I, she was part of the New Hampshire State Commission for Belgian Relief, helping people in Belgium. Helen was active in many local women's clubs and other groups focused on civic, educational, and charitable work.

Later Life

Helen Thayer was a Congregationalist in her religion. She was very active in her church and parish work. She even served as president of the New Hampshire Congregational Conference.

For some time, Helen Thayer lived in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. She passed away at her home in Newton, Massachusetts, on April 14, 1935. She was buried in Westfield, Massachusetts.