In 2021, Working Women’s History Project co-hosted a three-part series of Zoom webinars, titled Exploring Progressive Women & Political Values. The programs were presented by the Next Steps Collaborative, a group representing Working Women’s History Project; Hairpin Arts Center; Ida’s Legacy; Vivian G. Harsh Society; American Association of University Women; and the League of Women Voters of Chicago.
The series began on May 5,, 2021 with its first program, The 2020 Election: Successes and Setbacks. Women, especially African American women, were heavily instrumental in the triumph of progressive candidates in many races. The program featured moderator CM! Winters-Palacio, Executive Board Grievance Chairwoman for Local 1600 Cook County College Teachers Union and retired library professor. Panelists were Rep. Robin Kelly, who is also Chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Illinois; Jennifer T. Watson, Assistant Professor of Social Sciences at Kennedy-King College; and Kimberley Egonmwan, Attorney, and Host and Commentator at WVON 1690 AM. The program was recorded and can be accessed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6xMgm8hCjI
The second program, held on June 4, titled 2022 Midterms: Defying Conventional Wisdom. Moderated by Laura Washington, Chicago Sun-Times Columnist and ABC-7 Analyst, the event featured panelists Ami Gandhi, Senior Counsel of Chicago Layers’ Committee for Civil Rights; Jacky Grimshaw, Chair of Chicago Women Take Action; and Angel Lang, Executive Director of BLOC (Black Leaders Organizing for Communities) in Milwaukee. The video can be accessed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Bu-ZboCcG4
The third program, titled Exploring Progressive Women: Different Perspectives and Common Purpose, held on June 23, featured moderator CM! Winters-Palacio. Panelists were Khadine Bennett, Director of Advocacy and Intergovernmental Affairs at the ACLU of Illinois; Cristina Pacione-Zayas, then Illinois State Senator for the 20th District; and Robyn Gabel, Illinois Representative of the 18th District and Assistant Majority Leader. The video can be accessed at: Exploring Progressive Women: Different Perspectives, Common Purpose – YouTube