Scudder, Vida

Scudder, (Julia) Vida (Dutton) (1861–1954) social reformer; born in Madura, India. After her missionary father died, she spent her youth in Europe. Educated at Smith College and Oxford University, and committed to Christian socialism and Marxism, she became a renowned social activist. She was a founder of the Women's Trade Union League (1903). She founded Dennison House, a settlement house in Boston (1892), taught at Wellesley College (1887–1928), organized for labor, published 16 books, and wrote her autobiography (1937).