Dorothea Dix joined a movement for social reform. When she visited a jail, she was surprised to see that the prisoners and mentally insane were joined together. After this finding she sent a report to the Massachusetts legislature, who passed a law to correct these conditions. Dorothea then convinced 9 Southern states to create hospitals solely for the mentally insane.

8.1 Major Leaders in Asylum/ Prison reform/ their accomplishments

http://www.nwhm.org/media/category/education/biography/biographies/dix.jpg