- Advocate for Labor Reform: Kelley was an essential figure in the campaign for labor reform, particularly child welfare. she worked to establish child labor laws, safety standards, and workers' compensation in states.
- Promoting Consumers' Rights: She worked with the National Consumer's League to protect the rights of consumers and improve quality standards. She led the charge for food safety regulations and honest labeling.
- Political Involvement: Kelley actively engaged in politics, lobbying the government for improved social policies. She served as a factory inspector in Illinois, where she was instrumental in implementing progressive reforms.
- Education and Research: Kelley founded the National Child Labor Committee (NCLC) in 1904 to research and expose the deplorable conditions children lived and worked in. The NCLC played a critical role in changing public perception and driving reform.
- Advocacy for Public Health: Kelley collaborated with public health experts to address critical health issues of the era. She emphasized links between poor working conditions and illnesses such as tuberculosis and malnutrition, advocating for proactive public health measures.
Florence Kelley's unwavering dedication, groundbreaking research, and political activism made her a prominent leader of the progressive movement, and her legacy continues to inspire social justice reforms today.