Jane Addams, 1912, Chicago History Museum, DN-0059240, Sun-Times/Chicago Daily News collection
Addie Wyatt, Vivian G Harsh Research Collection, Woodson Regional Library, CPL
Mujeres Latinas en Accion, Support Farm Workers, 1960's, Chicago History Museum, ICHi-028793
ERA March, 1974, courtesy of Suzanne French
Betty Friedan, Illinois ERA Rally in 1975, photo credit Alan Lee Koss
Women's March, 2017, photo credit Laurie Little
On the Wings of Change, Chicago Suffrage Mural by Artist Diosa
Intersection of Harrison and Wabash
Affirming the Civil and Human Rights of All Chicagoans
At Chicago Women’s History Center, we offer a safe space, a sanctuary space for ALL people in our community.
The recent acts of violence towards women, children, and families in our city is inhuman, unjust and it is heartbreaking to witness the separation of children from their parents. We are witnessing the collapse of democratic rights and the dismantling of governance. We are aghast that these acts are being committed by Federal Agents. The violent aggression perpetrated by Federal Agents has created an unsafe and dangerous environment and potentially, causing long-term health impacts and community-wide trauma. This is psychological cruelty that is unacceptable in any society and in particular, in our democratic society.
Documenting, Preserving, & Sharing Chicago Women’s History
The Chicago Women’s History Center is a non-profit organization that takes an intersectional approach to documenting, preserving and sharing resources for the study of Chicago women’s history.
We are a dynamic community of academic scholars, teachers, archivists, librarians, media professionals, community organizers and leaders, activists, and members of the general public who are interested in the power of Chicago women’s history to inform the present and inspire the future.
Our Current Project:
Documenting Women’s Activism and Leadership in the Chicago Area 1945-2000
The Chicago Women’s History Center’s current project combines scholarly research, identification and preservation of archival material, oral history interviewing and engagement with the Chicago women’s activist community to develop, preserve, and share resources for the study of women’s activism during the poser WWII period.
About our Book:
Women Building Chicago, 1790-1990,
A Biographical Dictionary
Published in 2001 by Indiana University Press, Women Building Chicago is an award -winning research volume containing the biographies of over 400 Chicago women. This path-breaking reference work was the result of a 10 year research and publication project undertaken by the CWHC. The book was edited by former CWHC board members Rima Lunin Schultz and Adele Hast. The book is available online and for purchase.
Public Education
CWHC is committed to learning and dialogue on topics related to Chicago Women’s History. We regularly bring together scholars, community activists, and the general public for public programs including an annual conference on a specific theme, writing and preservation workshops, and author events.
CWHC Archives @ UIC Special Collections
CWHC gifted 152 physical feet of archives that includes 38 Discreet collections of material from 38 women engaged in the Second Wave Feminist Movement in Chicago. This was a 25 year labor of love by CWHC President Emerita, Mary Ann Johnson and has recently been processed and is now accessible for research. To find out more please follow the link below.
Celebrating 25 years of Women Building Chicago 1790 - 1990
As part of a year-long celebration in 2026 we supporting three Writing Fellowships in the Spring and Summer of 2026. The creative writing produced from these fellowships will be published in the Fall and presented at the 55th Anniversary of Chicago Women’s History Center.
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