Mission and Purpose — Chicago Women's History Center

Our mission:

To document, interpret, preserve and share Chicago women’s history through the support of academic research, the identification, collection and preservation of archival materials, the development of educational resources, the presentation of public programs, and the creation of a space for exploring the relationship between Chicago women’s past, present, and future.

Our values:

Intersectional analysis, critical thinking, diverse perspectives, historical accuracy, freedom of expression, intellectual honesty, inclusiveness, and respect for all differences in race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, differently abled bodies, or religious beliefs.

Our purpose:

To advance the understanding of Chicago women’s past accomplishments and contributions as a means of enlarging the historical record.

To collect, preserve and make available new resources for the study of Chicago women’s history.

To engage new generations of scholars and activists in the process of historical inquiry and documentation as a means of developing critical thinking, analytical skills, and new knowledge.

To bring together academic scholars, community activists, public historians, and the general public for dialogue on social issues connecting Chicago women’s past accomplishments to present and future concerns.