Newsletter – Working Women's History Project

WWHP’s “Working Women” newsletter brings its readers news about issues pertinent to working women, such as Title IX, student loan debt, the history of suffrage, the Chicago Women’s Health Center, and what is happening with unions that have large female membership. The newsletter also includes interviews with Chicago women active in the fight for workplace justice and stories about historical women and events that have affected working women. Subscribe to receive our newsletter.

50 Years of Title IX
Title IX, which celebrated its 50th anniversary on June 23, changed everything for male and female athletes in the US.
Roe v. Wade Overturned: Potential Effects on Working Women
There are many ways that the elimination of a national right to abortion might adversely affect the lives of working women and others who can become pregnant. Our rights should not be determined by the geographic boundaries of the states in which we live.
Remembering Helen Marie Ramirez-Odell
Recently, Working Women’s History Project lost one of our beloved board members — Helen Ramirez-Odell. Helen, in 1995, was one of our Founding Members of Women and Labor History Project (WLHP), later renamed Working Women’s History Project.
Rebecca Sive: A Woman with a Mission
Rebecca Sive’s mission is to encourage ordinary women to join the public sphere and to pursue their dreams of justice and equality. Sive believes that including women’s voices and the voices of other marginalized people will offer more opportunities to achieve justice and equality.
Rochelle Jackson: Advocate of the North Lawndale Community
Born in North Lawndale, Rochelle Jackson is a pillar of her neighborhood. She has spent nearly thirty years working at the Juvenile Protective Association, JPA, as an administrative specialist.
The 50th Anniversary of Eisenstadt v. Baird
March 22, 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of Eisenstadt v. Baird. This Supreme Court ruling held that single people had the same right to contraceptives that married couples gained in a 1965 decision by the high court.
Remembering Lillie Petty (1945–2022)
Lillie Petty, a longtime Chicago labor and community activist, passed away on February 22, 2022.
Alma Washington named Chicago Federation of Labor 2022 Woman of the Year
On March 1, WWHP board member Alma Washington accepted the Chicago Federation of Labor 2022 Woman of the Year Award. Women in labor rights were honored at this program held during Women’s History Month.
Vanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers, Won the Vote, and Insisted on Equality For All
In her new book, Professor of History at Johns Hopkins University and President of the Berkshire Conference of Women Historians, Martha S. Jones dives into her family history and the history of the United States through the eyes of Black women.
Introducing Ada S. McKinley: An Unsung Hero and Social Reformer
As a young African American born shortly following the abolishment of American slavery, Ada Sophia McKinley engaged in benevolent community work that has gone greatly unnoticed.
Growing Support to Change Park’s Name to Honor First Black Family in Rogers Park
“They’re an inspiration to all,” said Dona Vitale, treasurer of the historical society. “These accomplishments would be special for anybody, but to do it under the circumstance they did? The Pollards deserve recognition. We think the time has come.”
Meet Carole Simpson: Barrier-breaking Journalist
Carole Simpson was the first Black woman to anchor a major network newscast or as the three-time Emmy award-winning television journalist.
Meet Susan F. King, Chicago Architect
Women do not play a bigger part in social housing, Susan said, but they do in the area of sustainable design. Membership on important sustainable design committees are roughly 50/50 men and women. Why?
Losing Tim Black: A Personal Recollection
At the parties there were opportunities to talk . . . and to listen because, of course, Tim told stories: many, many stories and they were all interesting.
Alpha Suffrage Club Gets an Important Marker in Chicago
Founded in 1913 by Ida B. Wells-Barnett and several other suffragists in Chicago, the Alpha Suffrage Club played a significant role in motivating Black women to support voting rights and women’s suffrage.
Women Pioneers in Architecture
Several women with Chicago connections were entering the field of architecture long before it was common, or even acceptable.
Remembering Richard Trumka
The death of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, an influential and inspirational leader, is a huge loss not only for union members, but for all workers.
SEIU Strikes For Improved Working Conditions
At 6:00 am on June 25, 2021, the SEIU Local 73 representatives of Cook County workers took to the streets to strike for fairer contract provisions.