Chicago Woman's Club

Founder and Presidents, Chicago Woman's Club.

The Chicago Woman's Club was formed in 1876 by women in Chicago who were interested in "self and social improvement."[1] The club was notable for creating educational opportunities in the Chicago region and helped create the first juvenile court in the United States.[1] The group was primarily made up of wealthy and middle-class white women, with physicians, lawyers and university professors playing "prominent roles."[2] The club often worked towards social and educational reform in Chicago. It also hosted talks by prominent women, including artists and suffragists.[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]

The Chicago Woman's Club was responsible for creating the first Protective Agency in the United States that dealt with assault and rape of women. The group was active in reform of the Cook County Insane Hospital and of other health reforms. They helped establish the first kindergartens and nursery schools in Chicago. Later, the club became involved with both the woman's suffrage movement and also with promoting birth control.

The club met until 1999, when the group dissolved.[11] Assets of the club went to support scholarships and other philanthropic endeavors.[11]

  1. ^ a b Knupfer, Anne Meis (2005). "Clubs, Women's". The Electronic Encyclopedia of Chicago. The Newberry Library. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  2. ^ Schultz, Rima Lunin. "Women's History". Chicago Metropolitan History Fair. Archived from the original on 16 January 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  3. ^ "Women's Kingdom". Chicago Daily Tribune. 20 October 1883. Retrieved 10 January 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Mrs. S. G. Pratt will read her paper on". The Inter Ocean. 15 June 1885. Retrieved 10 January 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Susan B. Has Had Enough". The Saint Paul Globe. 28 June 1888. Retrieved 10 January 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Chicago Woman's Club". The Inter Ocean. 28 June 1888. Retrieved 10 January 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "About Women". The Atlanta Constitution. 12 May 1889. Retrieved 10 January 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "A Cominz Musicale". The Inter Ocean. 25 January 1891. Retrieved 10 January 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "The Woman's Club". The Inter Ocean. 19 May 1896. Retrieved 11 January 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Bradwell, J.B. (24 June 1905). "Chicago Woman's Suffragists Honor Miss Susan B. Anthony". Chicago Daily Tribune. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  11. ^ a b Granger, Bill (1 November 1999). "Woman's Club Deeds Will Not Be Forgotten". The Daily Herald. Retrieved 20 January 2017 – via Newspapers.com.