From America's favorite fictional sleuth to groundbreaking female songwriters, we're celebrating trailblazing women this March (and beyond!) at HPL. Whether you're looking for a new author to discover or seeking stories of infamous Chicago women, the list below has ways to join the celebration.
Pick up a Recommended Read
Check out our curated reading lists celebrating women's voices and stories.
- For adults, discover female fiction writers to add to your reading lists, or grab a memoir or biography about important women.
- For teens, these compelling books, graphic novels, and manga highlight women's voices and experiences around the world and across time.
- For little learners, check out these books that celebrate women's history in easy-to-read formats.
Download Something Digital
These digital options are all instantly available online with your Helen Plum Library card.
- Hoopla has a curated collection of eBooks, audiobooks, movies, and music albums showcasing the resilience and achievements of extraordinary women.
- Our newest app, Blinkist, has a list of The Best 100 Women's Stories to listen to or read. Sign up for Blinkist with your HPL card to enjoy abridged versions of popular books – great for trying out before you read or just for learning something new every day!
Support Local Women
Throughout March, give back by donating feminine care products to the bin in the Hub to support the Outreach House.
Attend a Program
Throughout the spring, enjoy engaging events at HPL that highlight women's history in the United States.
March Programs
History of Women in DuPage County
Wed, Mar 25 at 7pm
Step back in time with DuPage County Historical Museum to learn what life would have been like in the 1800s for women in DuPage County, from day-to-day tasks to pressing social issues of the time.
The Wicked, Wild, and Wonderful Women of the Windy City
Mon, Mar 30 at 6pm
Join historian Clarence Goodman to discover famous (and infamous) women in Chicago history, from Chicago's first historian to the first woman president of a major film company, and explore the Columbian Exposition’s pavilion dedicated strictly to the works of women.
April Programs
Registration for April programs opens on Sat, Mar 14 at 9am.
Senior Social: There's No Crying in Baseball!
Mon, Apr 20 at 1pm
The 1992 film A League of Their Own introduced modern America to the Rockford Peaches and the women who played professional baseball to improve morale on the American home front during WWII. Who were the real women who inspired the film? Join Rebecca Tulloch, a modern Rockford Peach and manager of the "League of Our Own" vintage softball team, as she traces the truth and fiction about the film.
Sunday Music Series: Elaine Dame Presents The Lady Lyricists - Queens of Tin Pan Alley
Sun, Apr 26 at 2pm
Join celebrated jazz singer Elaine Dame as she performs songs from legendary lady lyricists like Dorothy Fields, Carolyn Leigh, and Betty Comden.
May Programs
Registration for May programs opens on Sat, Apr 11 at 9am.
The Mystery of Nancy Drew
Wed, May 6 at 7pm
Explore the history of America's favorite teen sleuth, including the mystery of Carolyn Keene’s identity and why the Nancy Drew series has captivated generations of readers.
Mon, May 18 at 1pm