Jean Gurney Fine Spahr

Jean Gurney Spahr ( Fine; 1861 – September 25, 1935) was an American social reformer. A pioneer in the U.S. settlement movement, she was a co-founder and officer of the College Settlements Association (CSA), and the head of the Rivington Street Settlement in New York City.

Early life and education Jean Gurney Fine was born in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, 1861. Her parents were Lambert Suydam and Mary Ely (Burchard) Fine. Her siblings included the educators, Henry Burchard Fine, John B. Fine, and May Margaret Fine.

She graduated from Smith College with a B.A. degree in 1883. Spahr became the headworker of the New York College Settlement from 1889 until her marriage in 1892,

Her focus was not on "do something for" the poor, but rather living with them and seeing them as equals. After her marriage, she continued as a director of the settlement.

Spehr was a member of the Smith College Alumnae Association, and served as president of the Present Day Club of Princeton. author, and associate editor of the Outlook. They had five daughters: Margaret (b. 1893), Elizabeth Fine (b. 1894), Mary Burchard (b. 1896), Jean Gurney (b. 1899), and Helen Thayer (b. 1902). In her will, she bequeathed for the endowment of graduate fellowships at Smith College.