Honoring Trailblazing Women in Chicago’s History
March is a special month for women all over the world, as it marks Women's History Month. This is a time to honor the millions of trailblazing and notable women who have significantly influenced Chicago's history and Chicago Public Schools, inspiring future generations of female leaders and setting an example for student success.
Leading Women in Education and Beyond
It's incredible to see how far women have come in education, from fighting for their place to now outnumbering their male colleagues. Today, women make up almost 75% of the education workforce in the US. We owe a debt of gratitude to the women who came before us and paved the way for today's female students to become anything they can dream of.
Jane Addams
Jane Addams, a renowned activist and social reformer, established the Hull House in Chicago, a social settlement that helped enhance the educational and social circumstances of immigrants and children residing on the city's West Side. Her tireless efforts in promoting women's suffrage and peace were recognized with the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize in 1931, making her the first woman in the United States to achieve this accolade. Nowadays, CPS’ Jane Addams ES honors her legacy in the city's East Side neighborhood.
Eliza Chappell Porter
Eliza Chappell Porter is commemorated as the first school teacher in Chicago, paid by public funds. Chappell was also renowned for establishing in Chicago the Normal School model to train elementary school teachers for employment in public schools and devoted her life to improving education for all children, especially African American children, regardless of race or economic status. Eliza Chappell Elementary in Chicago's North Side pays tribute to her legacy of making a difference in students' lives.
Ella Flagg Young
Ella Flagg Young made history by becoming the Superintendent of Chicago Public Schools following a career as an educator in multiple CPS schools during the late 19th century. She pioneered the implementation of teacher councils, empowering educators in issues pertaining to them. Today, her legacy is honored with Ella Flagg Young Elementary School in North Austin, a tribute to her impactful educational contributions.
Amelia Earhart
Amelia Earhart is a legendary figure in aviation history and made history as the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Her contributions to women's issues and aviation still inspire many. After graduating from Hyde Park High School in 1915, Earhart became a visiting professor at Purdue University, where she lectured on aeronautics.
While attempting to be the first woman to fly around the world, Earhart, her co-pilot, and her plane were lost over the Pacific Ocean and never found. Her legacy lives on through the Amelia Earhart Options for Knowledge School in the Bronzeville Community, a Literature, Writing, and S.T.E.A.M. Elementary School named after her.
Kate Starr Kellogg
Kate Starr Kellogg was a pioneering teacher in Chicago who introduced innovative teaching techniques that have become standard in education today. She was particularly passionate about recognizing and accommodating each student's unique abilities, and her approach included parent-teacher conferences and integrating arts into the curriculum. Kellogg died in 1925, and in 1927, the Board of Education allocated money for a permanent structure at 91st and Leavitt, where Kate Starr Kellogg Elementary School opened its doors in 1937.
Jennifer Hudson
Dunbar High School grad Jennifer Hudson was at first best known for her shocking exit from American Idol–most thought she was a show-in to win. She became best known for her bounty of talents that have secured her place in entertainment history. She became the youngest Black woman to achieve the rare achievement of EGOT status, securing an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award in her career.
Jane Byrne
In 1979, Jane Byrne broke gender barriers by becoming the first woman to be elected mayor of a major city in the USA when she became mayor of Chicago. Her leadership was marked by several notable achievements, such as appointing Ruth Love as the city's first Black and female school superintendent. Byrne was also instrumental in establishing Chicago's first Pride Parade, giving birth to the city’s festivals like the Taste of Chicago and neighborhood festivals. Additionally, she brought the film industry to Chicago, paving the way for the city to become a major player in the entertainment industry.
Teresa Fraga
Teresa Fraga, a dedicated Mexican-born community organizer and teacher from Pilsen, played a crucial role in establishing Benito Juarez High School in the 1970s. During her years of prominent community involvement, Fraga completed her G.E.D. and Bachelor's degree and served as a teacher at Orozco Academy. Her contributions extended beyond education, as she also worked on other community projects, such as building parks and sidewalks. Fraga's tireless efforts continue to positively impact the Pilsen community to this day.
Ida B Wells
Ida B Wells was an American journalist, educator, and a key figure in the civil rights movement by founding the NAACP, fighting against prejudice and violence, and advocating for African-American equality, particularly for women. Wells exposed the terrible life conditions of the Blacks in the South. She spotlighted lynchings and segregation in the South through pamphlets and newspapers, which sparked outrage and anger among locals. As threats increased, she moved to Chicago, where, according to historian Anne Meis Knupfer, she founded the first Black kindergarten in 1897 and the Ida B. Wells Club, the first civic organization for Black women, which worked to improve access to education in her community. Wells' legacy as a fearless and tireless champion of justice and equality continues to inspire generations today.
Bessie Coleman
Bessie Coleman was the first woman of African and Native American heritage to earn a pilot's license in the United States. She was a fearless and passionate pilot who overcame the lack of training opportunities for women by securing sponsorships in Chicago to attend flight school in France, where she earned her license. Coleman dreamed of owning a plane and establishing a flight school for young black aviators to receive training and pursue their goals. Tragically, in 1926, she died in an aerial stunt, and thousands attended her funeral in Chicago, with activist Ida B. Wells providing the eulogy. Today, Coleman's legacy inspires people worldwide, and her determination and resilience continue to be celebrated.
Kitihawa Point du Sable
Kitihawa, also known as the wife of Chicago's first settler, Jean Baptiste Point DuSable, played a crucial role in fostering connections between Indigenous communities along the Chicago River, thereby establishing a multicultural legacy in the city. Recently, the Chicago City Council recognized DuSable's contributions by renaming Lake Shore Drive, a significant step in honoring the history and contributions of Black and Indigenous communities in Chicago.