Women’s History Month in Chicago is an exciting time to celebrate all the inspiring women in your life and our city. Chicago has always been led by incredible, bold women—Ida B. Wells, Jane Addams, Bessie Coleman, Michelle Obama, Katharine McCormick, and Sandra Cisneros, to name a few.
From stopping by museums celebrating Women’s History to shopping at women-founded stores, this month, we’re marking the achievements of women. With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of events, businesses, and organizations to support as we honor Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day in Chicago.
1. Visit the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum
Jane Addams was an IL activist who co-founded the world-famous Hull-House social settlement on Chicago’s Near West Side in 1889. The museum now serves as a memorial to Addams, the first American woman to receive a Nobel Peace Prize, but was once Addam’s private home and was also a place where immigrants and other marginalized communities gathered to learn, eat, and create a community. Now, its programs continue Addam’s legacy of promoting education, social engagement, and community organizing.
Address: 800 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60607
2. See The Kerry James Marshall Mural At The Chicago Cultural Center
Renowned artist and MacArthur Fellow Kerry James Marshall created a vibrant, large-scale mural for the Chicago Cultural Center. The mural, which sprawls over the museum, honors 20 women who have shaped the city’s vigorous arts and culture landscape. The mural is 132 feet by 100 feet.
Address: 78 E Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602
3. Support women-owned businesses in the area
4. Celebrate Women’s History Month at the Field Museum
This month, the Field Museum celebrates women who have shaped natural sciences. Hear from various guest speakers as they explore their personal experiences and contributions to the sciences. From in-person meetings with scientists to discovering iconic contributors, the museum hosts seminars celebrating staff and scientists. They’re also helping to overcome bias against women with a series of ongoing Women and Girls in STEM programs.
Address: 1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
5. Shop women-founded finds at the International Women’s Day Market
On Sunday, March 12, head to Lincoln Square for the 3rd Annual International Women’s Day Market at Artifact Event, featuring local women-owned goods and endless vendors. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., you can shop local women-owned businesses like curated jewelry, beauty products, home goods, and food and drink options.
Address: Artifact Events, 4325 N Ravenswood Avenue
6. Head to the Wicker Park Farmers Market At Robey Hall
Support small, women-owned businesses at the indoor Wicker Park Farmers Market during March. Stop by Robey Hall on March 2 and 17 from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. to check out vendors like Greens Gals, a microgreen purveyor, Dulce Caramel, who will be serving up delicious Argentinian alfajores, shortbread sandwich cookies filled with dulce de leche filling, Midwest Mycelium showcasing their signature mushroom blends to help beat the last of the winter colds, and more.
Address: 2022 W North Ave.Chicago, IL 60647
7. Spend time outside at the Chicago Women’s Park and Garden
Located in the Near South Side community, locally known as the South Loop, Chicago Women’s Park & Gardens totals 3.23 acres. Take time out of your busy schedule to plan a nice day in this tranquil green space. The park honors women’s historical contributions to the city of Chicago with statues like ‘Helping Hands’ dedicated to Jane Addams and other historically significant figures.
Address: 1801 S. Indiana Ave. Chicago, IL 60616
8. Watch the International Women’s Day Film Festival
Celebrate Women’s History Month in Chicago by heading to the International Women’s Day Film Festival. The first of the three-part event series, “Sustaining Women, Sustaining Our World,” is a collaboration to celebrate women’s work and the beauty, richness, and needs of environments.
Date: Mar 08, 2024, 6:30 PM
Address: Kehrein Center for the Arts, 5628 W Washington Blvd, Chicago, IL 60644, USA
9. Find a women-founded bookstore to support
Volumes Bookcafe is an independently owned bookstore run by two sisters. It features heavily curated shelves of books alongside a tasty menu of baked goods, quality espresso drinks, and an array of local beer and wine. Whether dropping in to pick up a new read for home or curling up and staying a while, the shop aims to create a warm and inviting community space for booklovers of all ages.
10. Chicago Sinfonietta presents ECHO
Chicago Sinfonietta celebrates Women’s History Month in Chicago with ECHO, a program highlighting women in music. The program includes the Chicago premiere of Florence Price’s Concert Overture No. 2, a dynamic and passionate work that showcases Price’s masterful orchestration and distinctive musical voice; Samuel Barber’s beloved Violin Concerto performed by the rising star Amaryn Olmeda in her Chicago debut; Francis Poulenc’s Les biches Suite, a playful and evocative work that blends neoclassical and jazz elements with irresistible charm; and the world premiere of a currently untitled piece by Clarice Assad, with the talented vocalist and composer herself performing as soloist.
Date: Friday, March 15, 2024 at 8:30 AM
11. Grab the McBride Sisters’ flight at Cindy’s Rooftop for Women’s History Month In Chicago
Head to Cindy’s Rooftop for the McBride Sisters flight! The McBride Sisters has grown into what is not only the largest Black-owned wine company in the United States but one of the most inclusive, accessible, socially aware, and sustainable—now you can take part in the McBride Sisters flight specials at $25 per flight for Women’s History Month in Chicago.
Address: 12 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603
12. Head to The Goddess and Grocer for Women‘s Month Cupcakes
Inspired by the melting pot of delis and markets in her hometown of Melbourne, Australia, owner Debbie Sharpe set up her first Goddess and Grocer in 2005 in the artsy, edgy Bucktown neighborhood of Chicago.
This month, Goddess and Grocer will offer Women’s Month Cupcakes, available in chocolate and vanilla with purple frosting and pearl sprinkles, for $4 each. $1 from each cupcake will go back to She Votes Illinois, a statewide political action committee that focuses on ensuring that the political system and legislation in Illinois reflect the voices of all women, femmes, and girls in the state.