McMain, Eleanor Laura (1866–1934)

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McMain, Eleanor Laura (1866–1934)

American settlement worker and social worker. Born Mar 2, 1866, near Baton Rouge, LA; died May 12, 1934, in New Orleans; dau. of Jacob West McMain (dean and secretary of Louisiana State University) and Jane Josephine Walsh.

Became head resident of Kingsley House Settlement in New Orleans (1901); opened city's 1st vacation school (1902); oversaw expansion of Kingsley House to include children's summer retreat, athletics programs, drama programs, and courses for the blind; founded and served as 1st president of city's Woman's League, representing several local women's groups (from 1905); worked toward passage of compulsory education law (1910) and women and child labor laws (1906, 1908); traveled to spread concept of settlement house throughout US and Europe.

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