Bold. Unapologetic. Authentic. 100 years ago, Save the Children’s founder had a vision: to achieve and protect the rights of children worldwide. Artist Credit: Sam Rodriguez
Meet Eglantyne Jebb - Founder of Save the Children
Eglantyne Jebb, who founded Save the Children in 1919, was a pioneering humanitarian and one of the most influential champions of children’s rights. Her tireless work to protect children from starvation and neglect changed the world and laid the foundation for international child protection laws.
A Humanitarian Vision Born from Outrage
Jebb’s journey began when she saw tragic photographs of children starving in post-war Germany and Austria. Outraged by the injustice caused by wartime blockades, she took action, creating flyers and distributing them in Trafalgar Square. Though many ignored the images, her determination impressed a judge who ultimately supported her cause—making the first donation to what would become Save the Children.
"Save the Children is often told that its aims are impossible - that there has always been child suffering and there always will be. We know. It's impossible only if we make it so. It's impossible only if we refuse to attempt it."
From Protest to Global Impact
In 1921, millions of children were starving in Russia due to political unrest. Jebb organized a cargo ship, the SS Torcello, carrying 600 tons of food and medical supplies, saving thousands of lives. Her humanitarian efforts quickly grew into an international movement, demonstrating the power of advocacy and direct action.
The Declaration of the Rights of the Child
Jebb’s most enduring contribution came in 1924, when she presented the Declaration of the Rights of the Child to the League of Nations in Geneva.
The declaration stated that: “The child that is hungry must be fed, the child that is sick must be nursed, the child that is backward must be helped, the delinquent child must be reclaimed, and the orphan and the waif must be sheltered.”
Adopted in 1925 and later expanded by the United Nations in 1959, this declaration inspired the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, a cornerstone of international human rights law.
Bringing Save the Children to the U.S.
In 1932, inspired by Jebb’s work, American supporters established Save the Children in the United States. During the Great Depression, they provided clothes, food, books, and school lunches, built playgrounds, and supported struggling families. Today, Save the Children runs programs in 14 states, continuing Jebb’s mission to protect and nurture children.
Eglantyne Jebb’s Legacy Today
Save the Children remains a global leader in child welfare, delivering education, health care, and protection in emergencies. Some key impacts include:
• We lead the world in protecting children in conflict and war zones – identifying their needs, advocating for their safety and delivering support
• Since 1990, we’ve cut the number of children dying before age 5 by over half.
• Since 2000, we’ve helped reduce the number of children out of school by over a third.
• Since 1990, we’ve helped reduce child marriage worldwide by nearly a third On International Women’s Day – and every day – we celebrate her. Our hope is that one day her name will be a household name – alongside legends Rosa Parks, Amelia Earhart and Frida Kahlo.
Eglantyne Jebb: one of the most influential women you’ve never heard of.
1. Convention on the Rights of the Child https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convention_on_the_Rights_of_the_Child