The Chicago Monuments Project aims to address the city’s unacknowledged histories. One of the eight projects will highlight histories of Latinas in the Pilsen neighborhood through monuments and education. Utilizing the concept of teach-ins, a gathering of people interested in expanding their knowledge about a topic that is often marginalized, Pilsen Arts and Community House will host three teach-ins titled Pilsen Latina Legacies.

Pilsen Latina Legacies will lead participants in exploring the histories of Latinas political organizing to understand the powerful impact they made in Pilsen. As well as larger questions about how leaders are memorialized and why in the case of Latinas, of which some were also part of the LGBTQ+ community, are often left out of the public memory despite their integral role in shaping Chicago histories. The teach-ins will be moderated by Liliana Macias, a Chicago raised queer DACAmented public historiadora pursuing her Phd in history at the University of Illinois Chicago.

The teach-ins will include local artists who will engage participants in reflecting and celebrating the legacies of Latinas in Pilsen through art. While also having the unique opportunity to share their input in the planning and creation of an upcoming monument that will honor these Latinas.

Participants can attend all or as many of the teach-ins as they like!

FREE BOOK! While supplies last we will be giving away copies of the book Chicanas of 18th Street to participants who wish to read the book before the teach-ins. You can pick up your FREE book at Pilsen Art and Community House during operation hours Wednesday through Friday from 12-6pm.

Pilsen Latina Legacies Teach-in #3:

Living Legacies: A Platica with Chicanas of 18th Street

The aim of the recent Chicago Monuments Projects launched by the city and the Mellon Foundation was to acknowledge marginalized histories. One of the proposed eight projects was the Pilsen Latina Legacies which honors the histories of Latinas in Pilsen through monuments and education. Utilizing the book, Chicanas of 18th Street: Narratives of a Movement from Latino Chicago, two teach-ins were hosted in October, where participants gathered to learn about the histories of Latinas political organizing to understand the powerful impact they made in Pilsen.

Join us at the Rudy Lozano Library for our final teach-in; a unique knowledge and histories sharing platica with the living legacies of the book Chicanas of 18th Street. Joining us is Maria Gamboa, Laura Paz, Victoria Perez and Cristina Vital. The Chicanas will share their histories of organizing and consejos on how to continue to advocate for our communities.

We will also hold space to remember the Chicanas who are unable to be with us; Isaura Gonzalez and Magda Ramirez-Castaneda whose legacies live on with us in spirit.

Co-moderating this workshop with Liliana Macias, a Chicago raised queer DACAmented public historiadora pursuing her Phd in history at the University of Illinois Chicago, will be Stephanie Herrera from Amoxtli, a Latin American founded book club in Pilsen which strives to promote literature and education through book discussions encouraging members’ dialogue to acquire the transfer of knowledge amongst each other. Amoxtli’s mission is to engage the Latin American community members as well as members of different communities to continue to exchange knowledge through dialogue resulting in true solidarity.

After the platica, join us for a small reception from 5pm-7pm at Pilsen Art and Community House, a block away at 1637 W 18th St., where we will have light refreshments and music from artist and DJ LaDancyNancy.

**For the health and safety we kindly ask that you please wear a mask for this event.**

While reading the book to participate is encouraged it is not mandatory to attend. Come learn and create with us!

Date: Saturday November 4th, 2023

Time: 3pm-5pm

Location: Rudy Lozano Library (1805 S. Loomis St, Chicago, IL 60608)

Cost: Free

.

.

.

The Chicago Monuments Project intends to grapple with the often unacknowledged – or forgotten – history associated with the City’s various municipal art collections and provides a vehicle to address the hard truths of Chicago’s racial history, confront the ways in which that history has and has not been memorialized, and develop 
a framework for marking public space that elevates new ways to memorialize Chicago’s history.

Pilsen Arts & Community House is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization offering space and resources through exhibitions, art instruction and mentorship. We believe in fostering positive relationships with artists and community members to ensure continued growth and service in Pilsen while providing creative opportunities for all.

Chicago Monuments Project: Pilsen Latina Histories, is a part of the Chicago Monuments Project which is supported by a grant from the Mellon Foundation, in partnership with the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events. Partnerships and additional support include, Pilsen Arts & Community House (PACH), University of Illinois Press and University of Illinois Springfield.

Official Website

More events on this date

Tags: Chicago, Cristina Vital, Isaura Gonzalez, Laura Paz, Liliana Macias, Lower West Side, Magda Ramirez-Castaneda, Maria Gamboa, Pilsen Arts & Community House, Pilsen Latina Legacies Teach-in #3: A Platica with Chicanas of 18th Street, Rudy Lozano Library, Stephanie Herrera, Victoria Perez