Hannah B. Chickering
Hannah B. Chickering (July 29, 1817 – July 3, 1879) was a prison reformer in the late 1800s, who worked to establish separate prisons for female inmates in Massachusetts and founded the Temporary Asylum for discharged female prisoners which later became known as the Dedham Temporary Home for Women and Children, which operated between 1864 and 1969 in Dedham, MA. Early life Born on July 29, 1817, in Dedham, Massachusetts, Chickering was the youngest of seven children and the fourth daughter in her family. Although, she was raised in the Unitarian faith, she ultimately decided to become an Episcopalian. She was a devoted member of her church, participated in parish work, and taught the local children during Sunday School. Chickering's faith and unyielding belief in God would provide strength throughout her life and guidance in her work. In 1846, around the age of 29, Chickering moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she continued her role in the church teaching Sunday School to young girls. One of her students, wrote this of a young Chickering, "Before knowing Miss Chickering I rather feared her. She seemed to me and others of our set of girls rather stern and strict. And I must confess