During the month of March, we honor women of all cultures, races, and backgrounds for their contributions to America and the fight for equality. This year's theme is "Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories” - women who have devoted their lives to pursuing truth and reflecting society.

Today, we'll pay tribute to some Chicago women who are all a part of our city's growing story.

There are so many – here are just a few:

Margaret T G Burroughs, American visual artist, writer, poet, educator, and arts organizer who co-founded the Ebony Museum of Chicago, now the DuSable Museum of African American History.

Maurine Dallas Watkins, Tribune reporter wrote the hit play ‘Chicago’ after covering Cook County murder trials.

Gwendolyn Brooks, Illinois poet laureate for more than 30 years and first African American author to be awarded a Pulitzer Prize.

Jeanne Gang, who forever changed the second-to-none Chicago skyline with her design of Aqua Tower, currently the largest building in the world designed by a woman.

Lavender Women, published 26 issues between 1971-1976 shining a light on the Lesbian women of Chicago.

Carole Simpson, the first woman to broadcast radio news in Chicago in 1965 and the first African American woman to anchor a major television network evening newscast at NBC.

Harriet Monroe, founder and editor of Poetry: A Magazine of Verse in 1912.

Ida B. Wells, investigative journalism trailblazer who laid the groundwork for modern investigative techniques.

Sandra Cisneros, author of The House on Mango Street, an exploration of the life of the Latin American community in Chicago’s Humboldt Park.

Barbara Proctor, the first African American woman to own and manage an ad agency which became the second largest African American ad agency in the country.

Mavis Staples, rhythm and blues and gospel singer, civil rights activist.

Again, so many – here are just a few.

Aviva Futorian, Civil rights lawyer, prison activist, educator, freedom school teacher in the summer of 1964, (SNCC) organizer, and co-author of the oral history book, Voices from the Mississippi Hill Country: The Benton County Civil Rights Movement.

Marjorie Freed, who was among the founders of Chicago’s Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outside Art.

Anne Rorimer, art historian, former curator of 20th Century Painting at the Art Institute of Chicago, author of New Art in the 60s and 70s: Redefining Reality.

Donna Vos, writing as Donna Cousins, author of 3 award winning novels.

Darcy Evon, author of Hand Wrought Arts & Crafts Metalwork and Jewelry: 1890-1940.

When you eat a meal and your body digests it, the glucose in your stomach and small intestines is absorbed and released into your bloodstream. Glucose released into the bloodstream can either be used immediately or stored for later use. Essentially, eating healthy foods will provide you with the energy you require for the day. Are you properly fueled? Here are a few helpful eating tips to get you started on the right track:

Following the Healthy Eating Pyramid is a great place to start when it comes to fueling your body, but is it sufficient? Everyone's body is different and may have different nutritional needs; for example, you may need to eat more high fiber foods, while someone else may need to eat more iron-rich foods. Discussing your health, potential health risks, and energy level with your healthcare professional can help them create a proper nutritional plan to help you stay fueled and energized.

Although eating out can be enjoyable, entertaining, and tasty, it is nearly impossible to account for all of the ingredients used. While eating to fuel your body, it's a good idea to limit your intake of saturated fats, artificial sweeteners, and sodium. Learning how to make fun and creative meals at home can make dinner time more exciting while also making it easier to maintain a healthier lifestyle. You don't have to completely avoid eating out; however, it may be beneficial to eat out on occasion as a treat or for special occasions.

Don't dread eating healthy; instead, find ways to make it enjoyable. Eating to fuel your body doesn't just give you temporary energy, it fulfills this year's National Nutrition Month's theme, "Fuel Your Future." Get excited about your journey as you learn more about what a proper nutritional plan is for you. A healthier diet, according to Medical News Today, can improve your health and extend your life by up to ten years! Healthy bites today can fuel your tomorrow!

If you want to learn more about how to fuel your future, go to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. They have a lot of great resources and information to put you on the right path.

This section is always open for members to engage with each other! We want to hear from you! If you just had a great meal at a new restaurant, see an event you think others will enjoy, want a recommendation for a new service provider, or need help with something that another member could assist with, send an email to info@thevillagechicago.org.

A member is looking for reliable, responsible, and trusted cat sitter to help care for their cat during upcoming travel. Please send your recommendations for your favorite cat sitter to the office by emailing info@thevillagechicago.org with the subject line "cat sitter" or by calling 773.248.8700. If you yourself are a feline enthusiast and would like to help out another member by cat sitting, we welcome your interest as well. Thank you!

Do you know of a interesting, challenging, part-time marketing or writing opportunity? Member Cynthia Shern would like to hear from you! Cynthia is an experienced Marketing Manager and Writer with more than 15 years of experience across many channels such as social media, websites, emails, videos, and more. She has a proven track record of creating and implementing successful marketing strategies for clients including IBM and Intel. Please email opportunities to Cynthia at cynthia.shern@gmail.com.

Member Caroline Schoua is reading Code Name Blue Wren by Jim Poplin and recommends it to fellow fans of non-fiction. The book follows the true story of Ana Montes, who spied for Fidel Castro while working at the Pentagon and has recently been released from prison after serving 17 years. If you are interested in discussing over coffee or your favorite beverage, please contact Caroline at carolina60611@aol.com

We want to hear from you! Have you won an award or started a business? Did you have a letter-to-the-editor published? Do you have a public lecture, musical/theatrical/dance performance or art show coming up? Send an email with a photo to celebrate@thevillagechicago.org.

Village partner Congregation Emmanuel (5959 N. Sheridan Rd.) invites you to their interfaith seder on Sunday, March 19 from 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM. This will be a unique opportunity to celebrate the traditions of Passover with people from different faith backgrounds and learn about the traditions and rituals of this ancient festival. It will be a meaningful and enriching experience for everyone involved! Tickets to the event are $25 and may be purchased here.

Center on Halsted will host a free clinic for Monkeypox, Covid and flu vaccines on Thursday, March 16. Spots are limited, and registration is required. Click here to register.

Village committees are always looking for new ideas and new members! Send us an email with your interest areas to info@thevillagechicago.org and we will suggest a Village committee that you might want to join. Committee members help shape the Village while getting to know more people and having a lot of fun!

Click here to see the complete list of participating merchants. Consider printing it so you don't miss out on a chance to save.

To recommend a business you would like us to add, or to leave feedback about your experience with a participating business, click here.

Exercise at Home with Jill Stein (via Zoom, Tuesdays, 1:00 PM)

Pilates (Tuesdays / Thursdays)

NIA (Thursdays)

For more information, click here.

A gift in honor or memory of someone special is a thoughtful way to recognize those who have made a difference in your life. It can be an eloquent memorial, or a tribute to friends and family members. All tribute gifts will be recognized in our Annual Report. And, please remember the Village in your estate plan by creating an enduring legacy for the future and know that the Village will be there for those who come after us. You can make a Tribute Gift by visiting our website or find out more about the Village Chicago Legacy Society by contacting us at info@thevillagechicago.org.

2502 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60614. 773.248.8700