April 17, 1912

Julia C. Lathrop ’80, a colleague of Jane Addams at Hull House, and “a graduate and trustee of Vassar College was appointed today by President Taft as chief of the Children’s Bureau in the Department of Commerce and Labor.  Miss Lathrop is the first woman to be made chief under the government.”

—The Poughkeepsie News-Press

In an analysis of the Children’s Bureau on September 29, a writer for The New York Times commented:

“Miss Lathrop was chosen by President Taft.  She is the first woman to be made head of a Federal commission in this country, and she will be paid the highest salary of any woman in Government employ.  Hers will be unquestionably the most important position held by any woman in this country.”