Preserving and archiving Chicago Women’s History and creating events and media to inform and inspire
Chicago Area Women's History Council is a dynamic network of academic historians, teachers, archivists, writers, oral historians, public history professionals, filmmakers, activists, community leaders and others interested in Chicago women's history.
Operating as usual
Timeline photos
“The first thing is to raise hell,” says I. “That’s always the first thing to do when you’re faced with an injustice and you feel powerless. That’s what I do in my fight for the working class.”
― Mother Jones
Today we remember hell-raiser Mother Jones.
OTD: November 30, 1930: Mother Jones dies. This is one of hundreds of articles carried on first pages of newspapers across the country. Soon thereafter, Gene Autry recorded this tribute. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pHwtJQ1FyI
TODAY Chicago Therapy Collective is launching a fundraiser to commemorate Elise Malary’s "Black Trans Lives Matter" chalk mural on the south wall of the bookstore with an inspiring permanent mural that celebrates Elise and ensures her personality, spirit, and legacy live on in Andersonville for years to come. This Trans Awareness Week pitch in and help CTC reach its goal of raising 10k to fund the project. 10k will cover all project expenses, including, wall prep, design, materials, labor, and maintenance for 10 years.
Donate here: https://chicagotherapycollective.org/elise-malary-mural/
Photos from Newberry Library's post
During the four years before the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalized abortion, thousands of women called Jane. Jane was the contact name for a group in Chicago officially known as T…
Photos from UIC Women's Leadership and Resource Center's post
A huge THANK YOU to all who joined us ( physically + virtually) for our 50 and Forward event!
It was a wonderful evening enjoyed by all and we look forward to making history in Chicago! 💯
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Fabulous 50th Anniversary Celebration with 19 guests in our Zoom Room as well. Thank you to all who joined us, our speakers who informed and inspired us and to those who donated their time and talents.
From our friends at CWTA Chicago Women Take Action:
Congratulations to Mary Ann Johnson on Chicago Women’s History Center's 50 years of researching, archiving & preserving, Chicago women’s history!
Wonderful evening and celebrations last night with friends and supporters at our 50th Anniversary event. Thanks to all who came out to share in the festivities at Film Row Cinema and on Zoom. We will be posting fun photos of the evening soon! ❤️
Timeline photos
in , 1932, Margaret Brown passed away. Today, she is known as “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” for surviving the Titanic and her heroism as it sank. But she also was a generous philanthropist, reformer, and suffragette—and even ran for Senate.
At 13, Brown left school to work in a to***co factory. But when her husband struck gold in 1893, she became a millionaire with newfound influence that she employed in various philanthropic ways.
As a first-class passenger on , Brown helped board others on lifeboats—regardless of class—before being forced on one herself. On it, she pleaded with the quartermaster to return and save more, but he refused. Then, Brown threatened to throw him overboard, later taking control of the lifeboat after he wouldn't let the women row to keep warm. Once aboard the , she sent telegrams to the loved ones of passengers who could not afford to themselves. She also used her knowledge of French, German, and Italian to comfort the immigrants and established a committee that raised nearly $10,000 for their aid before reaching .
In 1914, women wrote to Brown—by then a nationally recognized figure—to ask for her help in a labor strike involving a John D. Rockefeller, Jr. business. Brown was about to leave with soldiers to aid the Mexican Revolution but offered her time and money, pressuring Rockefeller to institute reforms. For this and her favor in the Suffrage Movement, many supported Brown's bid for . “If I go into this fight I am going to win,” said Brown, “There will be no mincing matters…It will be a regular man’s kind of campaign, stump speaking, spread-eagle and all.”
But despite her backing from men and women alike, Brown dropped out when began to travel to France. There, in the war-ravaged nation, she earned the French Legion of Honor for again providing humanitarian aid—which, like her life’s work—was motivated by her unwavering strength, courage, and generosity.
Photos from The Library of Congress's post
We are looking forward to an exciting evening celebrating 50 Years and Forward tonight! 🎉
For those of you unable to join us, we hope you will support the important work of the CWHC by visiting our website, spreading the word about us and participating in future events!
Thank you to all for your continued support! We have much to celebrate! 💯
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Women’s history needs to be celebrated + preserved EVERY DAY, and you can help us make sure our voices are heard by joining us TOMORROW!
Please join in as we celebrate 50 Years and Forward with the CWHC Thursday, October 27!
We will have great speakers, wine + hors-d’oeuvres, live music and most importantly- YOU!
Ticket link here: https://www.chicagowomenshistory.org/store/50forward
Attention please! 📣
We are only 2 days away from celebrating the dynamic history of Chicago women!
Help us continue our mission of preserving, honoring and commemorating the histiry of women in Chicago by joining us at our 50 and Forward event on October 27!
We look forward to making history with you!
Ticket link: https://www.chicagowomenshistory.org/50th-anniversary
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Help us continue our mission of celebrating the impressive history of women in Chicago by joining us at our 50 and Forward event on October 27!
We look forward to making history with you!
Ticket link: https://www.chicagowomenshistory.org/store/50forward
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Our BIG event is a week from today! 🎉
Please join in as we celebrate 50 Years and Forward with the CWHC Thursday, October 27!
We will have great speakers, wine + hors-d’oeuvres, live music and most importantly- YOU!
Ticket link in story above! 🆙
Our BIG event is a week from today! 🎉
Please join in as we celebrate 50 Years and Forward with the CWHC Thursday, October 27!
We will have great speakers, wine + hors-d’oeuvres, live music and most importantly- YOU!
Ticket link in story above! 🆙
Thank you for your press write up here, BWW! We hope to see you on Oct. 27th as we celebrate our 50th anniversary! ❤️🎉
Over the past 50 years, the Chicago Women's History Center has researched, written and shared valuable information about women in Chicago who have made a difference to the city and beyond.
Its not too late to join us for our 50 and Forward event next week!
We look forward to celebrating Chicago women’s history with YOU!
Your support is greatly encouraged and encouraged! We look forward to seeing you October 27! 🎉
Ticket link in story 🆙
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We are thrilled to celebrate with our Honorary Hosts for Chicago Women’s History Center 50 and forward, 50th Anniversary celebration on 10/27:
Tracy Baim - Writer, Editor, Publisher, LGBTQ Activist
https://linkedin.com/in/tracybaim/
Heather Booth - Organizer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heather_Booth…
Michelle Duster - Writer, Editor
https://mldwrites.com/about-michelle
Get you tickets here: https://www.chicagowomenshistory.org/store/50forward?tag=50thAnniversary
Ticket link in story ⬆️
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Two weeks from TODAY! 🎉🎉🎉
We hope you will join us for our 50 and Forward event in support of the CWHC!
A great night to look forward to!
Ticket link in stories ⬆️
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We are honored and delighted to have social justice activist and community organizer Esther Nieves deliver the keynote address at our “50 and Forward” celebration.
Nieves is a vision driven leader in the non-profit sector with experience working with grassroots, statewide and national organizations.
She is profoundly committed to efforts that connect people to each other, advance social change and equity, and collaborative efforts that support community building and the common good. She has served as program officer for the Field Foundation and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and executive director of Erie Neighborhood House and the Mayor’s Commission on Latino Affairs under Harold Washington.
She was born in the Humboldt Park area of Chicago and holds an MA from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Admin. and an MS from New York University.
Buy your ticket! Link in stories ⬆️
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We are honored and delighted to have social justice activist and community organizer Esther Nieves deliver the keynote address at our “50 and Forward” celebration.
Nieves is a vision driven leader in the non-profit sector with experience working with grassroots, statewide and national organizations.
She is profoundly committed to efforts that connect people to each other, advance social change and equity, and collaborative efforts that support community building and the common good. She has served as program officer for the Field Foundation and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and executive director of Erie Neighborhood House and the Mayor’s Commission on Latino Affairs under Harold Washington.
She was born in the Humboldt Park area of Chicago and holds an MA from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Admin. and an MS from New York University.
Buy your ticket! Link in stories ⬆️
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Come celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day with us at the Mitchell Museum with free admission all day!
*Just added* 10:30am - A 60-minute tour with our wonderful docent Carol through our main exhibit "A Regional Tour of American Indian Cultures".
Event and ticket info here https://mitchellmuseum.org/events/ipd2022/
Meet our amazing board of directors, the ones who lead the Chicago Women’s History Center and make things happen!
Our diverse and experienced board come from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines. They are academic historians, archivists, filmmakers, educators, sociologists, fundraisers, public historians, administrators, and activists. Representing educational and cultural institutions throughout the city, they bring a wealth of knowledge to CWHC.
Celebrate CWHC leadership and history with us at our 50th Anniversary celebration on October 27th.
Ticket link in stories 🎉
Join Friends and Supporters of CWHC on October 27th 🎉🎉🎉
Join the Chicago Women’s History Center on Oct. 27th, as we celebrate our 50th anniversary, at Columbia College’s Film Row Cinema from 5:00 – 7:00pm., 1104 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL.
Ticket link in stories ⬆️
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Photos from Media Burn Independent Video Archive's post
The big day is just around the corner🎉
On Thurs., Oct. 27th the Chicago Women’s History Center will gather together with friends and supporters to celebrate 50 years of preserving and sharing Chicago Women’s History.
Space is now limited. Buy your ticket today!
Ticket link in story⬆️
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Buy Your Ticket Now ✨
The big day is just around the corner.!
On Thurs., Oct. 27th the Chicago Women’s History Center will gather together with friends and supports to celebrate 50 years of preserving and sharing Chicago Women’s History.
Space is now limited. Buy your ticket today! Ticket link in stories
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Women Building Chicago: A Biographical Dictionary, 1790-1990
Looking for information on the history of Chicago women? We have the book!
Women Building Chicago contains full length biographies of 423 Chicago women who impacted the city in significant ways. Referred to as “the bible” of Chicago women’s history, our book includes labor leaders, social reformers, lawyers, doctors, artists, musicians, scientists, educators, politicians, philanthropists, religious leaders, writers, actors and many others.
The entire book is available online on our website, or check out individual entries of such notables as Jane Addams, Ida B. Wells, Pearl Hart, Lucy Parsons, Hannah Greenebaum Solomon and Frances E. Willard.
To purchase, check out the link in our stories!
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Join us Thursday at 12:30pm CT for Black Women and Reproductive Justice: Abortion and Life in the Post-Roe Era, a special lecture by Dr. Monica McLemore!
UIC Nursing students are invited to stay for a student-only seminar with Dr. McLemore at 1:30pm.
You can attend in person or virtually. Registration closes at 9am Thursday!
Details:
go.uic.edu/postroe
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[ID: Dr. Monica McLemore smiling toward the camera. To her left is the title of the event in yellow text on a purple background: "Black Women & Reproductive Justice: Abortion and Life in the Post-Roe Era." Below that, on a blue background, is white text describing the event.]
Photos from ERA Coalition's post
CWHC is pleased to announce our Honorary Hosts for our 50 and Forward event October 27 🎉
Heather Booth is a feminist, community organizer, and political strategist who has been a leader in progressive causes for more than 50 years. She got her start as a student in Chicago in the civil rights movement and the second wave feminist movement as a founder of the Jane abortion service, the Midwest Academy and other activist organizations. She went on to work on the national level teaching organizers and leading numerous social justice efforts.
Michelle Duster, is a writer, speaker, educator, champion of racial justice and advocate for the public expression of racial and gender equality. She is the author of and contributor to many books and, as the great, great granddaughter of civil rights giant Ida B. Wells, her advocacy has led to the establishment of historical markers, monuments, and other public history projects highlighting women and African Americans.
Tracy Baim is currently publisher of the Chicago Reader and a LGBTQ activist, journalist, author, editor, and filmmaker. She was the co-founder of Windy City Times in 1985 and subsequently owner, publisher, writer and photographer for this publication. She co-founded Outlines newspaper in 1987 and is the author of numerous books including Obama and the G**s: A Political Marriage and Vernita Gray: From Woodstock to the White House to name only two.
We hope you will join us at this special event! https://www.chicagowomenshistory.org/store/50forward?tag=50thAnniversary
Ticket link in bio ⬆️
We are thrilled to announce our Honorary Hosts for Chicago Women’s History Center 50 and forward, 50th Anniversary celebration on 10/27:
Tracy Baim - Writer, Editor, Publisher, LGBTQ Activist
https://linkedin.com/in/tracybaim/
Heather Booth - Organizer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heather_Booth…
Michelle Duster - Writer, Editor
https://mldwrites.com/about-michelle
Get you tickets here: https://www.chicagowomenshistory.org/store/50forward?tag=50thAnniversary
Events — Chicago Women's History Center
CWHC organizes public programs throughout the year. For more information about our past events please check here.
Support Women’s History Collections:
The Chicago Women’s History Center houses a rich collection of historical materials documenting women’s vital contributions to the growth and development of the city.
Included are an extensive library of books, oral histories, archival resources, reference files, audio and visual records, posters and other memorabilia.
Help us grow this unique collection and make it more available to the public. ❤️
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2109 N Humboldt Boulevard
Chicago, IL
60647
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National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum
N Milwaukee Avenue
Pritzker Military Museum & Library
S Michigan Avenue
The DNA Discovery Center and Pritzker Lab at
S Lake Shore Drive
Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture
S Pulaski Road
The DuSable Black History Museum and Educatio
E 56th Place
Charnley-Persky House Museum Foundation
N Astor Street
The Richard H. Driehaus Museum
E Erie Street