Lea Demarest Taylor

[1] Although often overshadowed by her famous father, Graham Taylor, she made significant contributions to the settlement house movement in her own right.

Taylor resisted calls from the local community for segregation, organizing racially integrated camps and other activities, but was not able to stem the rising tide of animosity.

[8] On October 10, 1947, a racially motivated fire left ten African Americans dead and 60 injured in a crowded apartment building a short distance from the settlement.

[10] In 1948, as people moved away from the neighborhood due to the impending construction of the Kennedy Expressway, the Chicago Commons Association merged with nearby settlement Emerson House and sold its massive building to raise funds for nonresidential community centers.

[11] In addition to her work as director and head resident, Taylor was also active in the broader movements of which the Commons were a part.

She was a member of the Women's Trade Union League, and worked on legislation establishing a minimum wage in the textile industry.