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Kaba, Mariame Papers

Dates: 1989-2016, bulk dates: 2003-2016. Size: 18 linear feet in 28 boxes, (2 oversize folders, 34 artifacts, 8 VHS recordings, 5 DVDs, 68 physical photographs, 26.1 GB of born digital material including 4795 digital photographs). Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. Mariame Kaba works as a community-based organizer and educator with a focus on violence against women and girls, the prison system and youth leadership development. During her time in the Chicago area, Kaba actively worked with Chicago Alliance to Free Marissa Alexander (CAFMA), Chicago Freedom School (CFS), Chicago Taskforce on Violence Against Girls and Young Women, Girl Talk, Project NIA, Rogers Park Young Women's Action Team (RP YWAT) and We Charge Genocide. Her papers contain documents, photographs and video of programs and initiatives undertaken by these organizations. [Finding Aid]

Women

Allen, Claudia Papers

Dates: 1985-1991. Size: .5 linear feet in 1 box. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Collection documents the work of Claudia Allen, a Chicago playwright. Includes scripts and production information. [Finding aid]

Austin Daughters of the American Revolution Papers

Dates: 1930-1938. Size: 1 linear foot in 2 boxes, plus 8 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Austin Community Collections. The Austin Daughters of the American Revolution (ADAR) - David Kennison Chapter was founded on December 12, 1921. The chapter’s namesake, David Kennison, claimed to be a Revolutionary War veteran. He died in 1852 and was buried in Lincoln Park, which was then a cemetery. Six scrapbooks compiled by ADAR members contain press clippings, photographs and yearbooks describing ADAR functions and members. [Finding aid]

Austin Woman’s Club Records

Dates: 1912-1965. Size: 1 linear foot. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Austin Community Collections. Clippings, yearbooks and scrapbooks that document the Club’s objectives which were “intellectual and social culture, general philanthropic work, a united effort toward self-improvement and the elevation of humanity.” [Finding aid]

Avidon, Sarajane Papers

Dates: circa 1965-2004. Size: .75 linear feet in 2 boxes. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Sarajane Avidon was a Chicago actress performing at Wisdom Bridge and Orphans Theatre among others. She was also a founding member of Chicago Shakespeare Theater where she appeared in Henry V and Twelfth Night. The Sarajane Avidon Papers include scripts, programs, photographs and notes pertaining to Avidon's career in Chicago theater. [Finding aid]

Barlow, Esther A. Collection

Dates: circa 1880-1993. Size: 5.5 linear feet in 9 boxes and 89 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. Esther A. Barlow was a children’s librarian at Chicago Public Library from 1927 until her retirement in 1976, including over twenty years as Head of Children’s Services at Hild Regional Library. The collection contains personal and professional papers, books and publications, and photographs. Photographs from this collection are available in the Library’s Esther A. Barlow Digital Collection. [Finding Aid]

Barzel, Ann Dance Film Archive

Dates: 1932-1981. Size: 9 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Art Information Center. The Ann Barzel Dance Film Archive is a collection of more than 50 hours of original film that documents the entire breadth of mid-20th century dance in Chicago, including companies such as the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, Ballet Theatre, Jooss Ballet, Martha Graham and scores more. All of the 16mm footage, which was filmed by the late dance critic Ann Barzel between 1936 and 1981, was transferred to DVD and fully cataloged. This electronic collection is a joint project between the Newberry Library and the Chicago Public Library. [Processed]

Blanke, Esther Diaries

Dates: 1903-1904. Size: 0.5 linear feet in 1 box. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. This collection contains two handwritten travel diaries belonging to Chicago artist Esther Blanke. The diaries cover the years 1903-1904 and document her travels in Europe with her sister, Chicago artist Marie Blanke. [Finding Aid]

Central Area, The Links, Inc. Archives

Dates: 1952-2004.  Size: 7 linear feet. Accession #2006/09. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. The Central Area, The Links, Inc. is a regional coordinating body with nearly 60 member chapters, stretching from Michigan to Oklahoma, and from Minnesota to Virginia. Established in 1952, Central Area has kept detailed archives, including correspondence, minutes, programs, chapter histories, photographs and audiovisual materials. [Partially processed]

Chef Kocoa/Kocoa's Kitchen Collection

Dates: 1987-2009. Size: 9 linear feet. Accession #2012/04. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Palma Scott-Winbush, professionally known as Chef Kocoa, is a well-regarded Chicago-based chef and owner of Kocoa's Kitchen. She spent seventeen years on the staff of the Chicago Reader in advertising before changing careers, transforming her life-long love of baking into a new venture. In 1990, she returned to school to further develop her culinary skills and graduated from the Washburne College Chef Training Program in 1991. Among her many accomplishments as a successful chef and business owner, author, consultant, food critic, and correspondent for several local media outlets, Chef Kocoa also made history as the first African American to have a syndicated, live cooking segment on WGN. Her papers contain personal and professional documents, photographs, audiovisual materials, as well as memorabilia that shed light on her impact on Chicago's hospitality industry. [Processed]

Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, 1861-1865, Records

Dates: 1895-1965. Size: 6.5 linear feet in 13 boxes, plus 2 oversize folders.. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. The Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, 1861-1865, is an organization whose membership can trace its lineage to soldiers who served on the Union side in America’s Civil War, 1861-1865. The DUVCW was founded in 1885 in Massillon, Ohio. This collection is comprised almost entirely of minute books from the Department of Illinois and various local tents throughout the state. [Finding aid]

Ebright, Lisa Collection

Dates: 1970-1993. Size: 43 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. The Lisa Ebright Collection includes production (and some rehearsal) photographs representing over forty Chicago theaters across the city including Goodman, Steppenwolf, Court, Northlight and Remains. All photographs by photographer Lisa Howe-Ebright. [Partially processed]

Eichelberger, Brenda/National Alliance of Black Feminists Papers

Dates: 1974-1997. Size: 8 linear feet. Accession #1997/05. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Open to “any black woman interested in advancing the cause of black feminism,” the National Alliance of Black Feminists was a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to achieving full equality for black women in America. Brenda Eichelberger, founder of NABF, served as president of the Chicago Chapter. The collection consists of manuscripts, brochures, promotional literature, correspondence, financial statements, newspaper clippings, journal articles and serials. [Finding aid]

Elam, Melissia-Lauretta Peyton Papers

Dates: 1891-1961. Size: 3 linear feet. Accession # 2007/09. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Melissia Elam came to Chicago in 1876 from Missouri. She established a club home for working girls in 1919; it became a center for social and cultural activities. Elam belonged to Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church. After her death in 1941, the work at Elam Home was carried on by Lauretta Peyton. The papers include personal and organizational correspondence, programs, clippings and memorabilia. [Finding aid, opens a new window]

Englewood Woman’s Club Records

Dates: 1898-1932. Size: .75 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Englewood Community Collections. The Englewood Woman's Club was organized in 1896. Collection consists primarily of yearbooks dating from 1898 to 1931. [Finding aid]

French, Robert O. Papers

Dates: 1902-2007. Size: 9 linear feet. Accession #1999/08. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Robert French, nephew of black beauty culture pioneer Annie Turnbo Malone, was a leader in Malone’s Poro College from the 1940s through the 1980s. French’s papers document Malone’s career, and the organizational life of Poro College and the Poro Association. The papers include correspondence, programs, photographs, clipping files, funeral programs and memorabilia. [Finding aid]

Girl Scouts of America Troop #427 Records

Dates: 1941-1971. Size: 2 linear feet in 2 boxes includes 305 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Lawndale Community Collections. The records that comprise the Girl Scouts of America, Troop #427 Collection, reflect the involvement of the scouts in the Lawndale-Crawford community, through brochures, correspondence, minute books, play scripts and programs. Also included in the collection is a scrapbook containing approximately 300 photographs of the girls of troop #427 at events and programs during the years 1941-1966. [Finding aid]

Hart, Patricia L. (Pat) Papers

Dates: 1974-1989. Size: .25 linear feet in 1 folder, includes 161 slides. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Pat Hart, a costume designer, studied costume design at the Goodman School of Drama. She designed for productions at Touchstone Theatre, Pary Production Company and Victory Gardens. [Finding aid]

Jones, Ellen Collection

Dates: 1985-1990. Size: 3 linear feet; photographs and slides. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. The Ellen Jones Collection contains lighting and set design work from 1985 to 1990. The material includes lighting plots, floor plans, scripts, programs, promotional posters, photographs and slides. [Finding aid]

Kaba, Mariame Papers

Dates: 1989-2016, bulk dates: 2003-2016. Size: 18 linear feet in 28 boxes, (2 oversize folders, 34 artifacts, 8 VHS recordings, 5 DVDs, 68 physical photographs, 26.1 GB of born digital material including 4795 digital photographs). Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. Mariame Kaba works as a community-based organizer and educator with a focus on violence against women and girls, the prison system and youth leadership development. During her time in the Chicago area, Kaba actively worked with Chicago Alliance to Free Marissa Alexander (CAFMA), Chicago Freedom School (CFS), Chicago Taskforce on Violence Against Girls and Young Women, Girl Talk, Project NIA, Rogers Park Young Women's Action Team (RP YWAT) and We Charge Genocide. Her papers contain documents, photographs and video of programs and initiatives undertaken by these organizations. [Finding Aid]

Kim, Ok Kyung Papers 김옥경 자료

Dates: 2006-2022, undated. Size: .5 linear feet in 1 box. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. This collection contains personal and professional papers from Ok Kyung Kim, a Korean American resident of Chicago who worked for Korean American Community Services. It includes material from her time as a Service Coordinator for KACS as well as family photographs and notes. [Finding Aid] [검색 안내]

Kinsella, Helen G. Collection

Dates: 1905-1966. Size: 2.5 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. Helen G. Kinsella was a teacher in Chicago for over 50 years, including 30 years teaching drama and public speaking at Lake View High School. This collection documents her career and work. It includes photographs of dramatic productions and student activities at Lake View High School. Selected photographs from this collection are available in the Library's Northside High Schools Digital Collection. [Finding Aid]

Lai, Grace Collection

Dates: 1989-1995. Size: .25 linear feet in 1 box. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. Grace Lai (1927-2010) was an artist known for her watercolor sketches of Chicago's construction sites and changing skyline. The collection consists of reproductions and photographs of her work and an article about her. [Finding Aid]

Landers, Ann Collection

Dates: 1951-2002. Size: 36 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Authors and Publishing Collection. Collection consists of the personal correspondence of “Eppie” Lederer, author of the syndicated advice column, “Ask Ann Landers.” [Partially processed]

Les Cameos Archives

Dates: 1955-2004. Size: 3 linear feet. Accession #2004/09. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Les Cameos is an African American women’s social organization founded in 1951 as a group of mothers of Girl Scouts, but that continued as a club with parties and charitable events. The organization’s archives include photograph albums, programs and newspaper clippings. [Partially processed]

Mardis, Geraldine Lane Papers

Dates: 1907-1953. Size: 3.5 linear feet. Accession #2003/02. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Geraldine Lane Mardis’ grandfather Alexander Lane graduated from Rush Medical College in 1895 and served as an Illinois state legislator. Her family vacationed at Idlewild, Mich., beginning in the 1920s. While a student at University of Chicago, Mardis was the subject of a racially motivated controversy. Her papers include correspondence, newspapers clippings, Idlewild and Chicago photographs, and memorabilia. [Finding aid]

Minor, Frances Papers

Dates: 1863-2009. Size: 15 linear feet. Accession #2002/03. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. A Chicago public school educator and South Side Community Art Center and African American history activist, Frances Minor’s papers focus on African Americans in Chicago, Minnesota and Mississippi. Other topics include her late husband, school administrator Byron Minor; Judge Irvin C. Mollison; and St. Edmund’s Episcopal Church. The collection consists of programs, clippings, serials, correspondence, funeral programs, scrapbooks, photographs and memorabilia. [Finding aid]

Montrose, Ruth Papers

Dates: 1962-1979. Size: 2 linear feet. Accession #1981/02. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Ruth Montrose was a social worker active in the National Council of Negro Women, the League of Black Women, the National Association of Black Social Workers and the Chicago Urban League. Her papers include a wide range of music, theater and political programs as well as flyers, correspondence and memorabilia. [Partially processed]

North Town Woman's Club Records

Dates: 1930-1980. Size: 3 linear feet in 6 boxes. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. The North Town Woman’s Club was formed on December 17, 1930. It aimed to pursue civic, educational, and philanthropic purposes. This collection consists mostly of their meeting minutes and reports, with a small amount of additional material such as notes and correspondence.[Finding Aid]

Ravenswood Woman’s Club Records

Dates: 1891-1976. Size: 2 linear feet in 4 boxes, plus 5 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. The collection consists of yearbooks which contain the club’s articles of incorporation, lists of officers and members, by-laws, news clippings, and program announcements and calendars and 5 photographs. [Finding Aid]

Sarah Siddons Society Records

Dates: 1849-2000, bulk dates, 1952-2000). Size: 12.5 linear feet in 17 boxes (including 710 photographs, 73 slides). Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Includes administrative records, as well as files kept by the society regarding winners of annual actress/actor of the year awards, leading lady awards and scholarship awards. Also photographs of society events and award recipients. [Finding aid]

Smith, Jessie Willcox Collection

Dates: 1890-1990, bulk dates: 1900-1935. Size: 18 linear feet; includes155 volumes, 2 artworks. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. Jessie Willcox Smith (1863-1935) was a prolific illustrator whose work appeared in children’s books, periodicals, and advertisements. The collection includes books, periodicals, calendars, prints, exhibition catalogs and promotional items that feature illustrations by Smith. [Finding Aid]

Sturges, Katharine Collection

Dates: 1916-2092. Size: 2 linear feet in 2 boxes. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. Katharine Sturges (1890-1979) was an American artist, illustrator, author, and designer. Her drawings appeared in fashion magazines, children’s books and advertisements. The collection contains a selection of her Japan sketchbooks along with P.F. Volland card design proofs and books. [Finding Aid]

Szabo, Alida Poster Collection

Dates: 1976-1987. Size: 5 oversize folders. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Alida Szabo built a poster collection while working in program development, marketing and media services for numerous arts organizations across Chicago. The collection contains 26 posters, collected by Szabo between 1976 and 1987 through her work with theaters including St. Nicholas and Goodman, as well as with the Mayor’s Office of Special Events and other cultural institutions in Chicago. [Finding aid]

The Links, Inc. Chicago Chapter Archives

Dates: 1950-2006. Size: 78 linear feet. Accession #1999/06. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. The Links, Inc. is a national women’s service organization founded in 1946 in Philadelphia. The Chicago chapter was founded in 1950. The chapter has included such notable members as Madeline Stratton Morris, Edith Sampson, Oneida Cockrell and Olive Diggs. The Links, Inc. archives include organizational records, annual cotillion books, program booklets, newsletters, conference proceedings, photographs and memorabilia. [Partially processed]

Thompson, Era Bell Papers

Dates: 1930-1987. Size: 96 linear feet in 108 boxes, includes 1240 photos, 368 35mm photo slides, 18 audio cassettes and 1 oversize folder. Accession #1987/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Era Bell Thompson, author of American Daughter and Africa, Land of My Fathers, was a pioneering photojournalist for Ebony and international editor for Johnson Publishing Company for more than 30 years. She was also an important figure in the Chicago Renaissance; her ties to the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature span nearly 50 years. Thompson’s papers include correspondence, diaries, financial records, audio and videotapes, monographs, journals, subject clipping files, photographs and memorabilia. [Finding aid]

West End Woman’s Club Records

Dates: 1894-1929. Size: .5 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Garfield Park Community Collections. The collection consists of  yearbooks which contain articles of incorporation, lists of officers and members, by-laws and program calendars. [Finding aid]

Women and Girls Collective Action Network Records

Dates: 2001-2011. Size: 3.5 linear feet, includes 1 oversize folder, 320 photographs, 362 negatives, 12 DVDs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. The Women and Girls Collective Action Network (WGCAN) was established in Chicago, Illinois, in August 2004 as an organization dedicated to end violence and social injustices against women and girls. Through its two primary initiatives, the Community Accountability Institute and Females United for Action (FUFA), WGCAN provided trainings, resources and programs to develop youth and community leadership, challenge media representations and end domestic violence. The documentation includes correspondence, interviews, meeting minutes, photographs, programs, reports, research articles, training surveys and workshop materials. [Finding aid]

Woodlawn Woman’s Club Records

Dates: 1913-1954. Size: 1 linear foot in 2 boxes, plus 2 photographs and 1 oversize folder. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Woodlawn Community Collections. The Woodlawn Women’s Club Records (WWC), contain a bound volume by Louise J. Pearson titled, History of the Woodlawn Woman’s Club, meeting minutes and yearbooks that chronicle by-laws, membership and programs from 1913 to 1954. [Finding aid]

Young, Marion C. Hull House Collection

Dates: 1900-1967. Size: 1.5 linear feet in 2 boxes, including 7 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the West Side Community Collections. Marion C. Young was born in 1895 and in 1929 she became a resident at Chicago’s Hull-House where she taught cooking classes.  In that same year, she became associated with Hull-House’s Bowen Country Club bringing city children into the country for summer camp. This collection consists of Hull-House and Bowen Country Club materials assembled by Marion Young over some four decades. The material is divided into three series: correspondence, Hull-House publications and publications about Hull-House. [Finding aid]

Zeta Phi Beta, Roanoke, Va., Chapter Papers

Dates: 1950. Size: 2 linear feet. Accession #1994/10. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. The papers include a scrapbook dated 1949-1950 of the sorority founded at Howard University in 1920. [Processed]

A-Z Collections Index