Who was the first woman to address Congress in support of asylum reform?

The first woman to address Congress in support of asylum reform was Dorthea Dix. She was a prominent advocate for mental health treatment and played a crucial role in the movement to improve conditions in mental asylums during the 19th century. Dix's efforts laid the groundwork for significant reforms across the United States, as she brought attention to the inhumane conditions faced by individuals with mental illnesses.

Her impassioned testimony before Congress highlighted the need for better treatment and facilities for those suffering from mental disorders, ultimately influencing lawmakers to consider legislative changes aimed at improving care and support for mentally ill individuals. This accomplishment marked a pivotal moment in both women's involvement in public advocacy and the larger reform movement related to mental health care. Other figures such as Harriet Beecher Stowe and Sojourner Truth were significant in their contributions to social issues, but they did not specifically address Congress about asylum reform like Dix did. Clara Barton, while a remarkable figure through her work with the American Red Cross and healthcare, was not connected to asylum reform in the same way.