have influenced today's society by their works and words. Dorothea Dix, for example, was a reformer of the mentally ill who changed the way mental institutions are run today. Dix, born in 1802, was an author, reformist, and teacher during her life who helped create dozens of new institutions across the US and Europe; challenging the idea that people with mental disturbances could not be cured or helped. Although some believe that Dorothea Dix created a new issue by introducing the idea of mental illness
Dorothea Dix Born in 1802, Dorothea Dix played an important role in changing the ways people thought about patients who were mentally-ill and handicapped. These patients had always been cast-off as “being punished by God”. She believed that that people of such standing would do better by being treated with love and caring rather than being put aside. As a social reformer, philanthropist, teacher, writer, writer, nurse, and humanitarian, Dorothea Dix devoted devoted her life to the welfare
On March 28, 1841, Dorothea Dix was invited to teach a Sunday class at East Cambridge, Massachusetts women 's jail. The invitation was at the right time because Dix have already heard how horrible the conditions and treaments of the mentally ill were in Massachusetts, it was just not justified. After her class she toured the jail and was appalled by what she had discovered. The innocent, guilty, and the mentally ill were combined in the unsanitary, crowded, cells of the East Cambridge jail. In addition
Dorothea Lynde Dix was quoted as saying, “In a world where there is so much to be done, I felt strongly impressed that there must be something for me to do.” Dix began at the age of 39, and spent the next 20 years as a social reformer for the treatment of the mentally ill. When asked to teach a Sunday School class at a women’s correctional facility, Dix was appalled at the conditions, as well as the fact that many of the women weren’t criminals, but were instead mentally
Dorothea Lynde Dix was born on April 4, 1802 (Cliffe, 2003; Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 2013; Parry, 2006). Dix was born in Hampden, Maine to underprivileged and inattentive parents Joseph and Mary Bigelow Dix (Parry, 2006; Ritter & Wakelyn, 2014) Throughout her childhood Dix’s father struggled with drinking problems as well as attaining a stable job. Her father died when she was only ten and she moved to live with her grandmother two years later (Cliffe, 2003; Parry, 2006). Between 1818 and
important role in natural rights and female education. Dorothea Dix and Mary Lyons spent their life fighting to help better society. Dorothea Dix was tireless in exposing mistreatment of those who were diagnosed with mental illness or who were institutionalized in the 19th century. She helped effect change for thousands of people. Mary Lyon was a female educator. She founded Mount Holyoke College, the first women’s college. Dorothea Lynde Dix was born on April 4, 1802, in Hampden, Maine (1). She
of Dorothea Dix devoted the rest of her life as an advocate to the humane attitude toward the mentally ill. She traveled the world from state to state visiting each and every prison, almhouse, asylum, orphanage, and hidden hovel documenting everything and anything she saw. After her intricate study of what she had been a witness of she wrote a letter or "memorial" and presented it to a legislator she knew who would present it to each legislature in each state she had studied. Dorothea Dix was
this advancement must be credited to Dorothea Dix. During part of the 19th century many perceived the mentally ill as ‘lost souls’. People viewed these patients as incurable and helpless. Mental patients were mistreated, taken advantage of, beaten, thrown into unclean quarters, and abused. Dorothea Dix, a pioneer of her time, advocated for the mentally ill. She changed the way these people were viewed and most importantly the way they were treated. Dix rebelled against inadequacies and campaigned
deserve. Through the altruistic efforts of Dorothea Lynde Dix, she advocated for the mentally ill and for prisoners around the United States, Canada and Europe. Dorothea Lynde Dix was born in Hampden, Maine on April 4th, 1802. She was born to a traveling preacher, Joseph Dix and an often depressed
Dorothea Dix, The One Who Pursued Her Life-Long Dreams Do you know what Dorothea Dix did to make this world a better place? Dorothea Dix assured the lives of the Union Army and the mentally ill, through hard-work and overcoming obstacles. As a kind and thoughtful person, Dix reserved a portion of her life towards the mentally ill. With time, another door opened leading her to another accomplishment, being Superintendent of Nurses. As superintendent, Dix chose and trained many nursed to assist her