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 #1:  Chicanas and Latinas Champions of Change 

Join us for our first teach-in as we discuss the women in the book Chicanas of 18th Street: Narratives of a Movement from Latino Chicago by Leonard G. Ramirez. Together, we will explore the challenges they faced as Latinas and as women. We will dig into the various ways they enacted change and take a close look at their practice of organizing. While also discussing why Latinas in general are not more present in the public memory of Pilsen.

After our discussion, Marimacha Monarca Press, a queer & trans people of color collective of artists and educators based on the southside of Chicago since autumn 2017, will lead us in a zine making activity. They will guide us in understanding how memory work can take the shape of a zine and envisioning how we as individuals can hold space to memorialize Latinas en la lucha!

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

Date: Saturday October 7, 2023

Time: 3pm-5:30pm

Location: Pilsen Art and Community House (1637 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608)

Cost: Free