Women and Leadership Archives at Loyola University Chicago

09/11/2026

⏰Reminder: The submission deadline for the 2027 Chicago Women’s History Conference is September 14, 2026. Learn more: https://www.chicagowomenshistory.org/cwhc-annual-conferences

09/09/2026

09/09/2026

💭 Do you have fond memories of Coffey Hall from your time as a Mundelein student? Did you live in the dorms or attend events in Coffey Hall? We want to preserve your Coffey stories for years to come! Sign up for an oral history interview during Mundelein Reunion Weekend, September 19-20, 2026! Interviews will occur via Zoom after Reunion, throughout September and October. Bring your calendars to Reunion to sign up for an interview slot! Questions? Email the Women and Leadership Archives: [email protected].

Images: Mundelein College Photograph Collection

09/09/2026

It's here! FNAR Fest 2026, September 10.

FNAR Fest 2026 is your chance to connect, create, and get to know the Fine Arts community at Loyola. Meet fellow students and faculty, learn more about the programs in Studio Art, Art History, and Visual Communication. Enjoy free food and swag, and jump into hands-on activities like craft workshops, wheel throwing, trivia, and more.

Join us at 4:30p.m. for the Program Orientation and arrive early to grab your free swag and get the festivities started.

Thursday, Sept 10
Ralph Arnold Annex

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
4:30-5:00p.m.
Fine Arts Program Orientation (Annex 117)

5:00-7:00p.m.
Fallible Fictions Reception (Ralph Arnold Annex)
Art History Internship Panel, followed by Art History Trivia (Annex 117)
Sabina Szczepanik, Museum Education Intern, Princeton University Art Museum
Sofia Martinez, 2-year Museum Scholar Fellow at the Art Institute
Maya Bali, Intern, South Asia Institute
Button Making (Annex 105)
Lanyard Bedazzling (Annex 105)
Book Making Workshop (Annex 112)
Felt Interactive Installation (Annex Corridor)

6:00-7:00p.m.
Wheel Throwing Workshop (Annex 107)

Photo credit: Talia Evans
Graphic credit: Jenii Bowman

09/08/2026

The WLA remembers the life and legacy of journalist and women’s liberation movement activist, Gloria Steinem, who passed away on September 2, 2026. In 1999, Steinem visited Loyola University Chicago and met with members of Feminist Forum, a student organization founded through the Women’s Studies Program (now Loyola Women's Studies & Gender Studies Program) to provide a supportive, safe, and open environment to discuss women and women’s issues. During her visit, Steinem also attended events celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Women’s Studies Program. These photos are from the Feminist Forum Records and Women’s Studies and Gender Studies Program Records at the WLA.

Learn more about the Feminist Forum Records here:https://www.luc.edu/media/lucedu/wla/Feminist%20Forum.pdf

Learn more about the Women's Studies and Gender Studies Program Records here:https://www.luc.edu/media/lucedu/wla/Women's%20Studies.pdf

09/04/2026

📢 Calling all Mundelein Alums! Reconnect with friends and celebrate the enduring legacy of Mundelein College at this year’s Mundelein Reunion Weekend! Please register for the weekend of festivities by Friday, September 11, 2026: https://web.cvent.com/event/6b264036-75a5-443e-88f0-8f7d507b8442/summary

Recognize any classmates in this photo? Let us know in the comments!

Image: Kappa Mu Psi, 1976, Mundelein College Photograph Collection, Women and Leadership Archives, Loyola University Chicago.

09/02/2026

The exhibit, Unfinished: America’s Ongoing Revolutions, is on display in the Donovan Reading Room at Cudahy Library through December 2026. Created to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, students in Loyola’s Public History Graduate Program curated the exhibit as part of their coursework. The WLA was delighted to partner with students, Professor Elizabeth Fratterigo, and University Archives and Special Collections on the exhibit. Read more about the exhibit in this blog post from University Libraries: https://libblogs.luc.edu/noteworthy/2026/08/19/now-on-display-in-cudahy-library-unfinished-americas-ongoing-revolutions/

Image courtesy of University Libraries

09/01/2026

The WLA will be closed Monday, September 7, 2026, for Labor Day. Research appointments will resume Tuesday, September 8, 2026. To request a research appointment, please complete the research appointment request form: https://luc.libwizard.com/f/wla-request-appointment

08/28/2026

The Sister Jean statue unveiling was featured in the Chicago Sun-Times!

“The sculpture was created by Omaha-artist Littleton Alston to ‘honor Sister Jean’s enduring legacy as an educator and mentor to all Ramblers,’ reads a plaque next to the statue. ‘It reminds us all that faith, learning, service and sport can unite a community and lift a human spirit,’ it continues.” - Quote from the article

Check out the article:

The school unveiled the statue, which sits just southeast of the school's basketball area and athletic center, on what would have been the Catholic nun and basketball fan's 107th birthday.

08/26/2026

Help us welcome new WLA Graduate Student Workers, Sofia (left) and Alena (right)! Sofia is a first-year MA student in the Public History program. This year, she is most looking forward to learning more about the archival profession and helping connect people with the past. Alena is a first-year student in the Public History/Master of Library and Information Science Dual Degree program. This year, they are most looking forward to learning the ins and outs of institutional archiving and engaging with local histories of feminist activism. We are thrilled to have them join the team!