Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women’s Network (est. 1980)

Joyce Coffee, Margaret Luft, Jeri Lynch Linas, Vickii Coffey, Leslie Landis, and Kate McGranahan

Photo courtesy of Carron Little

Anne Ladky (1948 - )

Executive Director of Women Employed from 1985 - 2017.

Photo courtesy of Anne Ladky

Bette Vidina (1940 - )

Chicago NOW Membership Chairperson

Photo courtesy of Bette Vidina

Christine Riddiough (1946 - )

Leader in Chicago Women’ Liberation Union, Lesbian Activist
Co-chair of Coalition of Metropolitan Lesbians and Gays.

Photo courtesy of Christine Riddiough

Diana Solis (1956 - )

Youth Organizer, Casa Aztlan and the Chicano Mural Movement
Photojournalist and Art Educator

Dorothea Jacobson-Wenzel (1942 - )

Photographer, Educator, and Activist, documenting the Women’s Movement since 1973.

Photo courtesy of Chicago Women’s History Center

Hedy Ratner (1941 - )

Feminist Activist, Equal Rights Amendment Organizer
Co-Founder of the Women's Business Development Center

Helen Ramirez-Odell (1942 - 2022)

Chicago Teachers Union Women’s Rights Committee Chair
Activist for ERA and Coalition of Labor Union Women

Photo courtesy of Chicago Women’s History Center

Judith Sayad (1952 - )

Early member of Chicago Women’s Liberation Union
Writer, editor, public health professional

Photo courtesy of Judith Sayad

Karen Boehning (1945-)

President of Chicago NOW Chapter (1971)

Photo courtesy of Karen Boehning

Kathy Rand (1945-)

Midwest Regional Director of NOW 1971-1974.
Public Relations chair of Chicago Now

Photo courtesy of Kathy Rand

Leslie Landis (1954 -)

Founding Executive Director of Lifespan 1982-1997.

First Court Administrator, Domestic Violence Division, Circuit Court of Cook County 2010-2019.

Photo courtesy of TBD

Margaret “Peggy” Luft (1952 -)

Community Outreach Worker, Uptown Center Hull House
Founding Organizer of the Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women's Network

Mary-Ann Lupa (1942 -)

President of Chicago Chapter of NOW 1970 - 1973. Graphic Designer

Photo by Wilma Stevens, courtesy of Mary Ann Lupa

Mary Jean Collins (1939 -)

President of Chicago NOW Chapter 1969 – 70 and 1980
Midwest Regional Director of NOW 1970 and National Action Vice-President 1982-85

Photo © Dorothea Jacobson-Wenzel

Wilma Stevens (1948 - )

President of Chicago Chapter of NOW, founder of Women Employed and Graphic Designer

Photo credit: Chicago Women’s History Center

Vivian Rothstein (1946 - )

Co-Founder of Chicago Women’s Liberation Union,
Political, Labor and Community Organizer

Photo courtesy of Vivian Rothstein