Women Building Chicago

Do you want to learn more about Chicago’s history?  With Chicago as my new home, I definitely do.

Can you think of women that have influenced Chicago?  Bertha Palmer is one woman who comes to my mind immediately.  Many of the Chicago Architecture Foundation tours I have taken have mentioned Bertha Palmer and her work with the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

Surely, there are many women that have influenced Chicago’s history.  Can you think of any?  After attending a Women’s History Month lecture at Harold Washington Library Center on March 25, I learned about many intelligent, inspirational women that shaped Chicago.

Mary Ann Johnson, president of Chicago Area Women’s History Council (CAWHC), presented “A Paradise of Exceptional Women, Chicago Women Activists and Leaders 1790–2000.”  The first part of the presentation highlighted some of the women in the CAWHC’s Women Building Chicago 1790–1990:  A Biographical Dictionary.  The book contains biographies of 423 women that made an impact on Chicago.  I can’t wait to check out a copy from the library and start learning about Chicago’s female leaders!

CAWHC is now working on a new project, “Documenting Women’s Activism and Leadership in the Chicago Area 1945–2000.”  The second part of the presentation focused on women and organizations that will be included in the project.  As the work progresses, we can all look forward to learning more about Loop Center YWCA, National Organization for Women Chicago, Chicago Women’s Liberation Union, and others, as well as the women that dedicated themselves to these organizations.

In the meantime, let's get reading about women building Chicago!