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Women’s History Month in Champaign-Urbana

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Celebrating Women’s History Month as a community in Champaign-Urbana

 

The month of March is designated as Women’s History Month and we have some resources for those who are interested in learning more

March is Women’s History Month around the country, and we know that organizations in Champaign-Urbana offer a variety of events and commemorations following this theme.

Women's History Month in Champaign-Urbana

Local connections

During Women’s History Month, we are frequently reminded of the long struggle for women to gain the right to vote. This story played out locally as well as nationally. In June 1919, Illinois was among the first states to ratify the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which would abolish gender-based barriers to voting when it finally became official in 1920.

For years, women have stopped by 19th-century activist Susan B. Anthony’s grave in Rochester, N.Y., to put their “I Voted” stickers on her headstone. There is a plaque in downtown Champaign marking where Anthony gave a speech in 1870 (on “Work, Wages, and the Ballot”). This marker has more recently served as a gathering point when locals have wanted to mark an occasion or issue of significance to women.

Susan B. Anthony marker in downtown Champaign
Susan B. Anthony marker near the corner of North Neil and East Main Streets in downtown Champaign. (chambanamoms photo)

But women’s history encompasses far more than the history of expanding the right to vote. Besides participating in civic discourse, how can we honor Women’s History Month?

We can visit museums or historical sites that preserve and retell stories of women, whether locally or elsewhere. We can read books — from libraries or even from women-owned bookstores — about women and by women authors. We can learn about or hear from significant women in our local community. And we don’t have to stop visiting, exploring, or learning when March is over.

Here are several local organizations whose calendars often offer events relating to women’s issues, from history to today:

 

Local events

Have a women’s history event to add? If it’s for families, please submit it to our calendar presented by OSF HealthCare.

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

<h4>International Women's Day Celebration</h4>

Levis Faculty Center Time: 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
The Women and Gender in Global Perspectives Program (WGGP) and the Humanities Research Institute (HRI) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are co-hosting their seventh annual event, “12 Women Who Changed the World: Untold Stories” bringing together faculty, staff, students, and community members to recognize people who have made…read more…

Sunday, March 24, 2024

<h4>Women's History Month Program</h4>

Peoria Playhouse Children’s Museum Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
This Women’s History Month, empower your child’s curiosity with a special STEM activity facilitated by the Society of Women Engineers of Central Illinois! Experience hands-on learning, led by trailblazing women in engineering and technology, and commemorate the incredible contributions of women throughout history. This program is free with the cost…read more…

We will continue to add to this list, so please check back during the month of March. 

We love to support woman-owned small businesses in Champaign-Urbana! Read about some of the ones we know about.

Do you know of a woman (or women) owned small business we may want to feature? Email editor@chambanamoms.com with suggestions.