At a time when it was perhaps risky, Ida B. Wells, Frances Willard, and Jane Addams were firm promoters of equal rights. Their work led to a legacy of advocacy that has guided the empowerment of women around the world.
In partnership with the Jane Addams Hull House Museum, RAILS Reaching Across Illinois Library System), and three other Illinois libraries, the Aurora Public Library District (APLD) will offer a highlight of the efforts of Ida B. Wells, Frances Willard, and Jane Addams as well as shed light on some of the inequities that have persisted in U.S. social reform campaigns. The virtual event will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17 through Zoom for Race and Rights: Wells, Willard, and Addams.
“From anti-lynching to temperance, these iconic figures created change,” said events and programming coordinator, Krista Danis. “Change in a place and time where doors were seemingly closed to all women’s voices, and black women’s voices in particular.”
White feminists have struggled to create an appropriate space for minority women within social movements. Similarly, in the protests of the civil rights era and today, women of color face racial barriers. Now, we have an opportunity to reexamine the past through programs such as Race and Rights: Wells, Willard, and Addams.
“This program opens doors for discovering history through an alternative narrative that speaks to our vision statement,” Danis said. “Race and Rights is an explicit effort to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion, which appeals to the newest pillar of APLD and speaks to gender and race equity historically and today.”
APLD offers materials in both physical and digital formats about the history of women’s rights, racism, and other diversity topics. Check our catalog for availability, or give us a call at 630-264-4117 and we’ll help you. Visitors can plan a time to visit the Library or pick up materials through curbside at aurorapubliclibrary.org/visit-us. Those interested can learn more and register for the Race and Rights event November 17 by visiting aurorapubliclibrary.org/event/4565461.
Andrew Muñoz is communications coordinator at the Aurora Public Library.