Georgene Faulkner The “Chicago Story Lady” had a remarkable knack for telling a good fairy tale. Born the tenth child in a family of eleven children, Chicago native, Georgene Faulkner realized she had a gift for writing and performing enchanting stories. Dressed in costumes appropriate for her tales, Georgene spun her talent into [...]
Kathryn Winslow Her name was Kathryn Winslow. She was a novelist, businesswoman, a publicist for a World’s Fair, and a reporter and columnist for the Chicago Tribune. She was also the first woman honored by the Illinois Woman’s Press Association as its “Woman of Achievement.” The author of three books, the first Big [...]
Maude Swalm Evans During the 1920s, Chicago newspapers often featured the activities of the Illinois Woman’s Press Association in their “Women’s Club Page.” Two such events during this time hosted by IWPA’s active membership included an Easter “Charity Bazaar” which was held at the Blackstone Hotel. The Association collected autographed books from Illinois [...]
Jessie A. Ackerman was featured in Prominent Women of Illinois published in 1932 by the Illinois Woman’s Press Association. She was often referred to throughout her life as the most traveled woman in the world by her peers. From those travels she worked as a social reformer, authored books, was a journalist and lectured advocating [...]
Photo from the personal scrapbook of Ms. Hatcher marked “Chicago the early years,” Anchorage Museum Research Center Archives There are 2,853.03 miles between Chicago, Illinois and Anchorage, Alaska. It is a journey Cornelia Templeton Jewett Hatcher would make at least nine times during her life beginning in 1909. That year Cornelia, then known [...]
Clara Louise Burnham Clara Louise Burnham was born in Newton, Massachusetts, on May 26, 1854. She was one of six children of music educator and composer Dr. George F. Root, (Sheffield Berkshire County, Massachusetts) and his wife, Mary Woodman (Boston, Massachusetts). Early in Clara’s childhood Dr. Root moved his family from Newton to [...]
Kate F. O'Connor, Supt. of the Women’s and Children’s division of the Illinois Department of Labor shown with credentials signifying she is a delegate to the 1941 convention in Danville representing the Steamfitter’s Union. One thousand pine trees were planted across an acre of the Mason state forest in celebration of Kate F. [...]
Helen Ekin Starrett Helen Ekin Starrett was exactly the type of woman who lived her life to the fullest. In constant motion as a wife and mother, she also took on the roles of author, editor, publisher, inventor, educator, reporter, respected business woman, Temperance member, volunteer and mentor. A long-time suffragist, she was [...]
Marlene Cook, IWPA President (1985-1989) As the historian and archivist of IWPA, I enjoy researching, discovering and writing about the women who have made contributions to the Illinois Woman’s Press Association. Writing about those who have long passed away and left us a trail of historical facts often provides me with imprints of [...]
Annie Myers Sergel’s spirit of harmony and cooperation garnered her respect and sincere affection within the Illinois Woman’s Press Association. On many occasions, Annie, along with her husband Charles, delighted in hosting soirees and dinner parties for IWPA events in their Chicago home. Such was the reputation of the Sergel’s as entertainers that invitations to [...]
