Friends in Deed: The Story of Quaker Social Reform in America

For more than 300 years, American Quakers have advocated tirelessly for social reform in order to bring about the justice and equality essential to their vision of a peaceful world. They have consistently worked on behalf of Native Americans, African-Americans, and women to eradicate the discriminatory treatment that has prevented these Americans from enjoying the fruits of an equitable society. Friends have extended the reach of their compassionate advocacy to include the mentally ill, the impoverished, the imprisoned, and immigrants. The American Friends Service Committee, whose international efforts to bring relief to those suffering hardships wrought by war and natural disaster, is perhaps the most emblematic instrument of Friends persistent imperative to build a more peaceful world. Friends' leadership in reform efforts throughout our history, markedly disproportionate to their small number, is a little-known but remarkable story of meaningful civic engagement. As Americans, we are profoundly touched by the Quaker imprint on our nation s political and social history. Their positive worldview, their aspirations for a more benevolent and just society, and their stubborn insistence on peacefully promoting these aspirations in the civic realm have contributed significantly to the American spirit and to our understanding of ourselves.