Numerous native Chicago women led the city to development and made significant contributions in certain areas. Discover more about who they are and how they managed to earn fame and recognition through good deeds on chicagoka.com.
Jane Byrne
Jane Byrne was a native of Chicago and a true legend. She became the first woman elected mayor in the United States in 1979. It is important to note that Chicago was the second-largest city in the country at that time.
This politician held her position for only one term. In a short time, she became the initiator and creator of many important events that played a big role in shaping the city. Byrne created the world’s largest Taste of Chicago festival, which is held annually in September in Grant Park. She also led the revival of Navy Pier, making it a popular attraction. She became the first mayor to participate in the Pride Parade.
Kittahawa
Kittahawa was a Potawatomi woman who was the first permanent settler in Chicago. She arrived in the city in 1790 and married Haitian immigrant Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable. It is important to note that Kittahawa maintained close ties with Native Americans, which soon became the basis for the success of the family business. The family home and trading post, which was once a center of trade between Europeans and Americans, is now immortalized in Pioneer Court at 401 Michigan Avenue.
Maggie Daley
Maggie Daley was the wife of Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, who served as the mayor for the longest time. He governed Chicago for 22 years. Maggie was shy and constantly avoided unnecessary attention. At the same time, she remained involved in the life of the city and founded the successful organization, After School Matters. Her company provided children who had graduated from school with excellent opportunities for art and sports. For her many contributions to the development of Chicago, Maggie Daley Park was created in her honor. It is one of the most popular in the city with picturesque views of the lake and Chicago.
Oprah Winfrey
This great woman devoted most of her life to television. Every day, many Chicagoans turned on their TVs to watch the great Oprah and hear her greetings. Winfrey is the founder of the iconic The Oprah Winfrey Show. She was able to accumulate a wonderful, positive legacy that is passed down from generation to generation.
Ida B. Wells
Ida was an African-American woman, investigative journalist, educator and civil rights leader. She became famous for her work in challenging stereotypes and advocating for equality for African-American women. Wells founded the Negro Fellowship League, which helped black women find housing, employment and provided them with social and political support.
Mary Bartelme
Mary was the first female judge in Illinois. She dedicated her life to reforming the state’s judicial system to address issues affecting women and children. Bartelme began her career as a teacher in the Chicago Public Schools. Later, she became one of the city’s first female lawyers. Three years after being admitted to the Illinois bar, she was appointed state trustee for Cook County. There, she established America’s first juvenile court system. She also donated her home in Chicago to establish Mary’s Club, a shelter for juveniles that taught girls important life skills.
Jeanne Gang
Jeanne Gang is a Chicago native who transformed her hometown with the design of the Aqua Tower. It is the largest building in the world designed by a woman. Her subsequent projects included the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo, Writers Theatre and the new Solstice on the Park in Hyde Park.
Margaret Burroughs
Margaret was a talented artist, writer, poet, educator and arts organizer. In 1961, she and her husband opened the DuSable Black History Museum and founded the South Side Community Art Center.
Jane Addams
In 1931, this great woman became the first American woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. She founded Chicago’s Hull House. She opened a kindergarten, created the first public playground and gym. She also worked on social reform issues, including juvenile courts, immigration issues, women’s rights and safety. Many city residents still admire Addams for the way she changed the world through her social activism.
Laura Liu
This Chinese-born woman worked as a lawyer her entire life. In 2010, she became a judge on the Illinois District Court. In 2014, Liu began working on the Illinois Court of Appeals. It is worth noting that a statue was erected in her honor in Ping Tom Memorial Park.
Michelle Obama
This world-famous woman grew up on the South Side of Chicago. After receiving her high school diploma, she became a student at Princeton University, which she graduated with honors, receiving a bachelor’s degree in sociology. In 1992, Michelle married the future US President, Barack Obama. The woman supported her beloved husband during his presidential campaign. In 2008, she became the first lady of America, initiating many campaigns fighting for the right of young women to education and a healthy lifestyle for African-American communities. Michelle Obama is a role model for young black women around the world.
Sandra Cisneros
Sandra Cisneros is a popular writer, poet and screenwriter who was born and raised in Chicago. Cisneros gained fame thanks to her novel The House on Mango Street. In it, she explored the difficulties of balancing between several cultures. Sandra was also very active in community activities and founded two non-profit organizations, the Macondo Foundation and the Alfredo Cisneros del Moral Foundation.
Bessie Coleman
Bessie Coleman became famous in the United States as the first African-American woman pilot. At the age of 23, she moved to Chicago, where friends from the Chicago Defender newspaper advised her to get a pilot’s license. She got it in France, as American flight schools did not accept her to study because of her skin color. Coleman was able to make sure that women, regardless of race and social status, could realize themselves in male professions.
Georgiana Simpson
Georgiana began her teaching career in 1885 by teaching immigrants. Soon, she had the opportunity to get a higher education. Thus, Simpson became the first African-American woman to receive a Ph.D. in German language from the University of Chicago. During her studies, she was forbidden to live on campus because she was African-American. Despite all the difficulties, Georgiana received an education and became an influential professor at Howard University.
It is important to note that all the women featured in our selection are role models. They have made invaluable contributions to the development of the city, education, art and other areas.