Voluntarism (action) - Examples From American History

Examples From American History

Voluntary provision of services to religious, civil, medical, educational, environmental and other private or governmental organizations doubtless has a long history.

• William Penn, who established the Quakers in the late 17th century, preached taking responsibility for others and improving the world.
• Cotton Mather, who lived during the colonial period, encouraged the formation of associations and causes.
• Benjamin Franklin organized a voluntary militia in Quaker-controlled Pennsylvania, whose pacifist legislature refused to support the American revolutionary war.
• Alexis de Tocqueville noted the unusually large number of voluntary associations in America.
• The Underground Railroad was a network of volunteers who helped slaves escape from their captors in the South.
• Dorothea Dix, a nurse, recruited and trained other women as nurses during the Civil War.
• Clara Barton also served as a Civil War nurse and went on to establish the American Red Cross in 1881 for relief of natural disasters, such as earthquakes.
• Jane Addams opened a settlement house in 1889 to teach volunteers how to help the poor improve their lives.
• The Peace Corps was established by President John F. Kennedy to help the poor in both the United States and other countries.
• In 1995, 93 million Americans volunteered an average of 4.3 hours per week.