Attorney Mayme Finley Spencer was Evanston’s first African-American female alderman. She came to Evanston in 1957 with her husband Warren, a doctor at the Community Hospital. Spencer was elected alderman in 1963 and served two terms. A graduate of Kent College of Law, Spencer practiced law for many years at a Chicago law firm while […]
Visit the Evanston History Center research room to see a new small exhibit that tells the story of Evanston women who served in WWI and WWII. The exhibit was curated by our Fall intern, Hannah Van Loon. It covers several stories of Evanston women in the wars. Here is just a highlight… Mary Glenn (1892-1972)
This little news article is from the May 4, 1895 Evanston Index. It is hard to tell if it is meant to be comical or critical, but it certainly reveals the late 19th century debate over the changing role of women in society. By 1895 Evanston women had the right to vote for school board
“The New Woman — A Recipe” Read More »
Frances Willard wrote many books and countless speeches, newspaper articles, pamphlets, etc during her busy life as a temperance reformer and women’s rights advocate. One of the most interesting is the little book she wrote about her experience late in life of taking up the new hobby of bicycle riding. In honor of the start
A Wheel Within A Wheel Read More »
Announcing two special program options for groups who’d like to access Evanston women’s history in a new way. Groups can now schedule a special viewing of the women’s history exhibit, with either a brief exhibit introduction and tour, or a special program created for them. Groups can also schedule a private bus tour of Evanston’s
Be sure to sign up for our Women’s History Bus Tour of Evanston on April 10. The tour will begin at 10 am at the Evanston History Center and will last about 2 hours, ending at EHC as well. Included will be sites all over the community that tell the story of Evanston’s women’s history.
Women's History Bus Tour Read More »
