Honoring Women’s History Month

It’s Women’s History Month! Despite all women have done for centuries, the first official celebration of women’s history wasn’t until 1982. Originally lasting just a week, the National Women’s History Project lobbied Congress to make the event a month long, succeeding in 1987 when the first “Women’s History Month” was celebrated.

This year’s theme is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion,” recognizing women who understand that we need to eliminate bias and discrimination entirely from our society and institutions.

To celebrate Women’s History Month, here are a few women who had a positive impact on Illinois:

Ida B. Wells: Ida B. Wells-Barnett was a journalist, activist, and researcher who battled sexism, racism and violence. After being forced to leave Memphis, TN, for being outspoken against lynching, she moved to Chicago. During the suffragist movement, she outwardly confronted white women who were apathetic about violence toward the Black community. Because of this stance, she was often ridiculed and ostracized by women’s suffrage organizations. Nevertheless, she remained active in the women’s rights movement and was a founder of the National Association of Colored Women’s Club which was created to address issues dealing with the intersection of women’s suffrage and civil rights.

Georgia Louise Harris Brown: Georgia Louise Harris Brown was an architect and engineer. She was the first Black woman to graduate from the University of Kansas with a degree in architecture and engineering and later she earned her architecture license in Illinois which made her the second Black woman to be a licensed architect in the U.S. During her career. Brown developed structural calculations for many well-known reinforced steel and concrete buildings that populate the Chicago skyline.

Dr. Margaret Taylor Burroughs:  Dr. Margaret Taylor Burroughs moved to Chicago when she was three. She was an activist through her art which focused on the idea that “skin color is just an over-emphasized minor difference among people.” One of her most famous poems was called “What shall I tell my children who are Black.” She was committed to education and prison reform and was able to combine these two passions by working in prisons for over 30 years helping the prisoners transform their lives through art and writing education.

Despite systemic hardships and setbacks, women have accomplished so many great things. Speaking out for civil rights, defying expectations by getting an education and bringing art and education to incarcerated people. This month, take the time to learn about how women have made history.

Celebrating Music in our Schools Day

Music in our schools day happens every year on March 6. Music is an important part of a well-rounded education. High school students who take part in music courses are more likely to have higher GPAs and attendance rates than students who do not participate in music education.

The arts are essential to a complete and competitive education for all students. Through the arts, students learn critical thinking, effective communication, collaboration and creative problem solving. Music education has also been linked to better emotional regularity and an increase in verbal memory.

Illinois’ public schools have a lot to offer on the music education front, and one of the ways to support music in schools is attending one of your local schools’ concerts. The Illinois Music Education Association is a big supporter of music in schools. They have yearly band, orchestra, jazz and choral performances where students from all high schools in Illinois come together for one performance. Another way they help encourage music in schools is by pairing music teachers with current job openings. Celebrate Music in our Schools day by supporting your local school music concert and events. 

Artist of the Month – Miles Davis

Miles Davis was an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader and composer. He is one of the most influential figures in the history of jazz and 20^th-century music and was born right here in Illinois.

Miles Dewey Davis III was born May 26, 1926 in Alton and was raised in East. St. Louis.

Davis started out on the trumpet when he was 12, inspired by St. Louis’ creative atmosphere.

In 1944, Davis went to New York to study at Julliard, where he started performing with some of the most well-known jazz musicians of all time.

In 1957, Davis had his first major release, called Birth of the Cool. This led him to international recognition. He recorded and toured with his newly formed quintet, and then released Kind of Blue in 1959, which is one of the most successful jazz albums in history.

Throughout the 60s and 70s, Davis released almost 20 albums, blending and transcending musical genres.

Davis took a hiatus from recording and performing from 1975 to 1981. After his hiatus, he created two major albums, Tutu and Aura.

Throughout his career, Davis won eight Grammy Awards, and received 32 nominations.

Miles Davis’ legacy has certainly had an impact on Illinois, and his music is still appreciated by many today.

Celebrate National Champion Crab Races Day

Although an unusual sport, crab racing is a thrill-filled event that captivates the attention of many. Today on National Champion Crab Races Day, celebrate alongside crab race enthusiasts here in Illinois!

Crab racing has been around for decades with a National Crab Racing Association arising in 1979, becoming the most prominent organization involved in crab racing. As for the holiday, it began in the town of Long Beach, Washington in the early 2000s and expanded to other areas. Since then, people annually celebrate the holiday by entering their own crab in races, attending a race or even enjoying their favorite crab dish.

This year, celebrate the Illinois way by visiting Don’s Place in Jacksonville. For over 30 years, Don’s Place has hosted crab races every Thursday evening. Customers can witness the spectacle while enjoying food, drinks, and live music on occasion. Don’s Place is a family-owned establishment that has earned its title as a local favorite operating in Jacksonville since 1933.

Crab races at Don’s Place are held every Thursday from 8:30 to 10 p.m. For more information, visit their website.

Happy racing!