Isabel Eaton

Isabel Eaton was an American sociologist and social worker who was born in 1858. She is best known for her work on the social and economic conditions of African Americans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her most notable work is her "Special Report on Negro Domestic Service in the Seventh Ward, Philadelphia," which was published in 1899. This report was a groundbreaking study of the lives of black domestic workers in Philadelphia. It provided a detailed account of the working conditions, wages, and social status of these women. Eaton's report was an important contribution to the field of sociology and helped to raise awareness of the challenges faced by black domestic workers.

Eaton was born into an established New England family. She graduated from Wellesley College in 1880 and then worked as a teacher and social worker in Boston. In 1896, she was hired by the University of Pennsylvania to conduct a study of the social conditions of African Americans in Philadelphia. Her report, "Special Report on Negro Domestic Service in the Seventh Ward, Philadelphia," was published in 1899.

Eaton continued to work on issues related to race and social justice throughout her career. She served as the director of the National Urban League from 1911 to 1913 and was a founding member of the American Civil Liberties Union. She died in 1933 at the age of 75.

Eaton's work was groundbreaking and helped to shape the field of sociology. Her report on black domestic service was an important contribution to the understanding of the social and economic conditions of African Americans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her work continues to be relevant today as we continue to grapple with issues of race and social justice.