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Chicago Civic Action Collection

 Collection
Identifier: spe-c00092

Scope and Contents

The Chicago Civic Action Collection consists of artifacts, buttons, circular letters, correspondence, flyers, photographs, posters, programs, reports and other forms of written documentation on a variety of civic actions in the Chicago area. The advocacy encompasses civil, health, labor, political and religious rights along with a range of issues such as abortion, free speech, housing, immigration, policing, racial discrimination and war. The collection includes documentation of the Women’s March from 2017-2020.

Photographs 1.341-1.364 and 1.570-1.743 were taken by Richard Cook. Photographs 1.1-1.340, 1.365-1.569, 1.744-1.937 and 1.975-1.1301 were taken by Michelle McCoy. Photographs 1.938-1.974 were taken by Sarah Perry Wilson.

Dates

  • Creation: 1909-2020, undated

Language of Materials

Materials are primarily in English with a few items in Spanish.

Conditions Governing Access

Materials are open without restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection.

Extent

2.75 Linear Feet (in 5 boxes and 1 oversize folder, includes 1301 photographs, 37.9 GB, 22 artifacts)

Abstract

This collection includes buttons, flyers, newsletters, pamphlets, papers and statements related to social justice movements and actions in Chicago. The digital photographs depict nine protest rallies and marches that took place between 2016 and 2020 including the Women’s March.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into three series:

Series 1: Documents, 1909-2022, undated

Series 2: Photographs, 1945-2020

Series 3: Buttons and Artifacts, 1979-2020

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The materials were acquired by purchase and from various donors.

Related Materials

Toni Bond Leonard Collection

Chicago Printmakers Collaborative: Resistance Materials

Chicago Video Project Archives

Rev. Martin L. Deppe Papers

Carol Heise Papers

Justice Graphics, Inc. Collection

Mariame Kaba Papers

Faith Rich Papers

Amanda Rivkin Photographs

Title
Guide to the Chicago Civic Action Collection
Status
Completed
Author
Michelle McCoy
Date
2022
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Unit at Harold Washington Library Center Repository

Contact:
Harold Washington Library Center, 9th Floor
Chicago Public Library
400 S. State Street
Chicago IL 60605 United States
(312) 747-4875