Dorothea Lynde Dix was an American activist

Activism

Activism consists of intentional efforts to bring about social, political, economic, or environmental change. Activism can take a wide range of forms from writing letters to newspapers or politicians, political campaigning, economic activism such as boycotts or preferentially patronizing...

 on behalf of the indigent insane who, through a vigorous program of lobbying state legislatures and the United States Congress

United States Congress

The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....

, created the first generation of American mental asylums. During the Civil War, she served as Superintendent of Army Nurses.
She was born in the town of Hampden, Maine, and grew up first in Worcester, Massachusetts

Worcester, Massachusetts

Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....

, and then in her wealthy grandmother's home in Boston.