How to use public transit to celebrate Women’s History Month in the Chicago region

March marks Women’s History Month, a time to reflect and celebrate the often-overlooked contributions of women who build up the local economy, cultural capital, and contribute to our region.

Chicago

International Women’s Day Market

More than three dozen women-owned businesses will be participating at the fourth annual International Women's Day Market, on Saturday and Sunday, March 8 and 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The market will feature the hardworking women-owned businesses in the Lincoln Square Ravenswood area of Chicago selling unique products from jewelry, beauty products, home goods, food, drinks, and more.

Where: Artifact Events, 4325 N. Ravenswood Ave. Chicago, IL 60613

How to get there:

CTA Brown Line (Montrose stop), then walk 3 minutes (0.1 miles)
CTA bus route #22 (Clark & Montrose stop), then walk 11 minutes (0.5 miles)

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Jane Addams Hull House Museum

The Hull House Museum serves as a dynamic memorial to social work reformer Jane Addams, the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, and her female colleagues, whose work changed the lives of Chicago’s immigrant populations as well as influenced national and international public policy. The museum is housed in the original 1889 building, a National Historic Landmark and one of the oldest houses in Chicago, right on the University of Illinois at Chicago’s campus.

Where: 800 S. Halsted St. Chicago, IL 60607

How to get there:

CTA Blue Line (UIC-Halsted stop), then walk 8 minutes (0.4 miles)
CTA bus route #60 (Harrison/Halsted stop), then walk 4 minutes (0.2 miles)

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Women and Children First

This Andersonville shop is one of the largest feminist bookstores in the country, with more than 20,000 books by and about women and children. It's also considered one of the city's best sources for LGBTQ fiction and nonfiction. Along with their robust collection, they host regular community events, book clubs, readings, author discussions, and more with the intent of supporting and promoting female authors. As well, all year-round, they fundraise to buy books for the organization Chicago Books to Women in Prison (CBWP) and for the Chicago Public School system.

Where: 5233 N. Clark St. Chicago, IL 60640

How to get there:

CTA Red Line (Argyle stop), then walk 16 minutes (0.8 miles)
CTA bus route #22 (Clark & Berwyn stop), then walk 1 minute

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Bon Femmes

After shop owner Omotola Akinbiyi became aware of how underrepresented women were in the art world, she opened her shop, Bon Femmes, a store featuring art, beauty products, and home decor that is all made by women.

Where: 4917 N. Damen Ave. Chicago, IL 60625

How to get there:

CTA Brown Line (Damen stop), then walk 7 minutes (0.3 miles)
CTA Blue Line (Damen stop), transfer to CTA bus route #50 (Damen & Ainslie stop), then walk 1 minute

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Broadway Bikes

Recently renamed from Uptown Bikes, Broadway Bikes is an independent shop owned and operated by women. The shop mission is to build community in the Uptown and North Side neighborhoods through biking and beyond.

Where: 4653 North Broadway Chicago, IL, 60640

How to get there:

CTA Red Line (Wilson stop), then walk 5 minutes (0.2 miles)
CTA bus route #36 (Broadway & Leland stop), then walk 1 minute

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Around the region

Women's History Month Walk

Join the Forest Preserves of Cook County on an outdoor hike Saturday, March 8, at 9 a.m. The hike will highlight conservation leader Isabel Bassett Wasson and the work and discoveries she made at Thatcher Woods. Nestled along the Des Plaines River, the 245-acre Thatcher Woods is a hot spot for bird watching and nature exploration. There are many other events happening in varying Cook County Forest Preserves throughout the month, so check out their website to find one Women’s History Month near you.

Where: Thatcher Woods, 8030 Chicago Ave. Maywood, IL 60153

How to get there:

CTA Green Line (Austin stop), transfer to Pace bus route #309 (Lake St & Thatcher Ave stop), then walk 15 minutes (0.8 miles)
CTA bus route #J14 (Jefferson & Washington stop), transfer to Metra UP-W Line (River Forest station), then walk 17 minutes (0.9 miles)

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Good Roots

Lindsay Palm and Ashley Aikens have taken the Chicagoland retail market by storm with their store, Good Roots, an inclusive, green, and family driven plant and home shop. The store has been featured in HGTV, Architectural Digest, and Forbes and has quickly become a staple of female ownership in the community.

Where: 492 Crescent Blvd. Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

How to get there:

CTA Green Line (Harlem/Lake stop), transfer to Metra UP-W Line (Glen Ellyn station), then walk 4 minutes (0.2 miles)
CTA bus route #J14 (Jefferson & Washington stop), transfer to Metra UP-W Line (Glen Ellyn station), then walk 4 minutes (0.2 miles)

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NaKorn

Sam Rattanopas and Mina Sudsaard are friends and co-owners of NaKorn, which means ‘Metropolitan’ in Thai. The restaurant serves traditional Thai cuisine with a twist. The plating and presentation are modern, but the flavors are authentic and bold.

Where: 1622 Orrington Ave., Evanston, IL 60201

How to get there:

CTA Red Line (Howard stop), transfer to Pace bus route #213 (Davis & Orrington stop), then walk 1 minute
CTA bus route #J14 (Madison & Clinton stop), transfer to Metra UP-N Line (Davis Street/Evanston station), then walk 4 minutes (0.2 miles)

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