North Shore celebrates Women’s History Month

Communities on Chicagoland’s North Shore are celebrating the contributions of women this March in alignment with Women’s History Month.

The month-long event has been celebrated every March since 1987 when the United States Congress passed a public law outlining the designation. March was chosen to include International Women’s Day, celebrated each year on March 8.

Check out how each community is celebrating here.

Ruth E. Carter: Interweaving Tradition & Imagination Through Costume Design – Wednesday, March 20 from  7 to 8 p.m. – The Illinois Libraries Present is hosting Ruth E. Carter for a virtual conversation about her work. Carter made history as the first Black woman to win the Costume Design category at the 2019 Academy Award for her work on Marvel’s “Black Panther” and went on to receive the same award in 2023 for her costuming on “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” Aisha Harris, co-host of NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour will serve as moderator. Register online at epl.org, wilmettelibrary.info, wnpld.org or glencoelibrary.info.

Evanston

YWCA Evanston/North Shore’s Financial Wellness Program – Wednesday, March 20 from noon to 1 p.m. – Stop by the YWCA for a free one hour presentation for women to learn ways to gain financial independence. Topics to be addressing will include the gender income gap, planning for a longer lifespan, approaching life changes and unexpected events and managing multiple roles and responsibilities at home, work, and in the community.

March Scavenger Hunt: Women in STEM and Guessing Jar: Counting the Stars: The Story of Katherine Johnson, NASA Mathematician – all March at the Evanston Public Main Library – Celebrate women in STEM with a month-long scavenger hunt at the main branch of EPL. Stop by and guess the number of star in a jar in celebration of NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson whose work played a major role in John Glenn’s Friendship 7 mission, among other accomplishments.

Wilmette

Local Women in Government Coffee – Thursday, March 14 from 9 to 10:00 a.m. at the Woman’s Club of Wilmette – Please join the Woman’s Club of Wilmette as they celebrate National Women’s History Month. Come and connect with your local female community leaders and learn about the current projects that our community boards are working on. The morning will include coffee and a panel discussion with time for Q&A, moderated by Ali Wenzke. The event is free and open to the community; a $10 donation at the event is appreciated. Register at the Women’s Club of Wilmette website.

Edith: The Rogue Rockefeller McCormick – Wednesday, March 20 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Wilmette Public Library Auditorium – Join historical reenactor Ellie Carlson and author Andrea Frederici Ross as the discuss Edith Rockefeller McCormick, daughter of John D. Rockefeller and Chicago socialite.

Driving Forces: Women Influencing, Designing, and Driving Automobiles – Monday, March 25 from 7 to 8 p.m. – The Wilmette Public Library is hosting a virtual event with Barbara Barrett outlining the contributions women made to the automobile industry. Register online at wilmettelibrary.info.

Winnetka

Nellie Bly: Around the World in 72 Days with Debra Ann Miller – Saturday, March 30 from 3 to 4 p.m. – Come to the Winnetka Public Library and see Debra Ann Miller portray Nellie Bly, an investigative journalist who became famous for her coverage of the atrocities at the New York City Lunatic Asylum outlined in her book, “Ten Days in a Mad House” On November 14, 1889, she began a solo trip around the world inspired by the 1873 Jules Verne novel Around the World in Eighty Days and completed her trip in record-breaking time. Register online at wnpld.org.