Contact Contact

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

February 29, 2024

22 RTA 1366

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 third annual International Women's Day Market, on Saturday and Sunday, March 9 and 10 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)

Learn more

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)

Learn more

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 lesbian and gay 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

Learn more

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

Learn more

Uptown Bikes

Owned and operated solely by women, Uptown Bikes is an independent shop whose 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

Learn more 

Around the region

Women’s Walk

Join the Forest Preserves of Cook County on an outdoor hike Saturday, March 9, at 10 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)

Learn more

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)

Learn more

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)

Learn more

Subscribe to our Newsletter

* indicates required
Type your email address here
What emails would you like to receive from the RTA
Tagged in: CTA | Metra | Pace

Related Articles

E Mlz Yh5 XYAAAB9 K How to use transit to celebrate the holidays in the Chicago region

Whether you’re looking to shop at holiday markets, attend festive performances, or take in all the sights the region has to offer, riding transit is the best...

November 18, 2024
22 RTA 1153 How to use transit to get to Chicago area concert venues

As the birthplace of house and gospel music and a seedbed of blues and modern jazz, Chicago has always boasted a strong musical heritage. Today’s music scene...

November 7, 2024
221107 RTA 1589 How to use transit to enjoy fall in the Chicago region

Instead of mourning another Chicagoland summer come and gone, start creating your plans to make the most of fall. The RTA has curated a list of indoor and ou...

October 17, 2024
22 RTA 1157 How to use transit to explore the Chicago region’s architecture

Chicago is one of the world’s great cities for architecture and designed landscapes—and the birthplace of the word “skyscraper.” The region is home to an unm...

September 24, 2024
22 RTA 0666 How to use transit to enjoy Hispanic Heritage Month in the Chicago region

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated in the United States from September 15-October 15 to recognize the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans. T...

September 11, 2024
22 RTA 1393 1 In memoriam: Cartographer Dennis McClendon, ‘Mr. Downtown,’ left his mark on Chicago transit

The RTA is marking the passing of cartographer and Chicago historian Dennis McClendon, who provided cartographic work to the RTA for more than a decade. McCl...

August 14, 2024
RTA
CTA
Metra
Pace
Copyright © 2024 Regional Transportation Authority. All Rights Reserved.