Iams, Lucy (1855–1924)

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Iams, Lucy (1855–1924)

American social-welfare worker and reformer. Name variations: Lucy Dorsey. Born Lucy Virginia Dorsey, Nov 13, 1855, in Oakland, MD; died Oct 26, 1924, in Pittsburgh, PA; dau. of James Francis Dorsey (minister) and Charlotte (Hook) Dorsey; m. Franklin Pierce Iams (lawyer), Aug 12, 1877; children: 2 sons.

Served as vice president (1902–24), chair, and head of legislative committee of Civic Club of Allegheny County, through which she worked for such causes as housing, woman and child welfare, health, and correctional institutions; sat on legislative committees for State Federation of Pennsylvania Women (1903–23), Consumers' League of Western Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania and Allegheny County Child Labor Association, and Associated Charities of Pennsylvania; ran unsuccessfully for Pittsburgh City Council (1921); was instrumental in drafting and passage of state tenement house law (1903) and appropriation of money from Pittsburgh for inspectors to enforce legislation.