Who to Support in Chicago This International Women’s Day
By Allison Yates
Each March 8, the globe celebrates International Women’s Day to “honor the achievements of women across all aspects of life - social, economic, cultural, and political - while also advocating for gender equality,” according to the official website.
How did this day begin? The late 1800s and early 1900s in Chicago, New York, and England were epicenters of labor struggles amidst the cutthroat capitalism and poor working conditions of the industrial age. Tragedies like the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire brought women out in droves to protest better conditions.
While various sources debate the day’s exact origins (some say it was in the early 1900s in Chicago), most agree: the first recognized celebration–or protest–was back in 1911. The purpose? The suffrage movement. Protests and various women’s days continued throughout the 20th century, and the United Nations only officially recognized this day in 1970.
While in some countries this day takes on a Christmas-like commercial opportunity–”Buy flowers! Chocolates! Tell women you love them!”– and in others it's outright ignored, many places around the globe still protest and participate in political activism reminiscent of this day’s origins.
While at Read & Run Chicago we celebrate women’s stories today and everyday, here are a few places related to our programming to tangibly support women, non-binary, and trans people in Chicago this International Women’s Day.
Women’s Liberation Protest, March 8, 1973. Credit: ST-19000057-0006, Chicago Sun-Times collection, Chicago History Museum.
Chicago Women’s Health Center
Scout Bratt with two former members of Jane at our September 2025 event.
Chicago Women’s Health Center (CWHC) facilitates the empowerment of women, trans people, and young people by providing access to health care and health education in a respectful environment where people pay what they can afford. Over 6,000 women, trans people, and young people seek service here each year.
Last fall, Scout Bratt spoke at our Running Tour of Jane about the impact of Jane’s work on CWHC’s current practices. Watch the full panel discussion here.
Related: What It Was Like to Work at Jane, Chicago’s 1970s-era Underground Abortion Network
Chicago Abortion Fund
Chicago Abortion Fund buttons at our September 2025 Running Tour of Jane
The Chicago Abortion Fund (CAF) is a non-profit organization that has provided financial assistance to people seeking abortion for over 40 years. In 2024 alone, the CAF staff fielded over 15,000 calls for support and contributed over $4.5 million on abortion services and related care, according to their impact report.
Donate at https://www.chicagoabortionfund.org/donate.
Related: A Guide to Donating (Money) To A New-To-You Nonprofit
Shop at local woman-owned bookstores in Chicago
Allison visiting Call & Response Books in 2024.
Chicago is home to nearly 50 locally-owned bookstores, many by women. Carefully curated shelves at places like Pilsen Community Books, Call & Response Books, and Da Book Joint highlight the stories and struggles, women, trans, and non-binary folks, especially those of color.
Financially contributing to locally-owned bookstores not only ensures you’re directly uplifting women, but has been proven to impact the local economy in the neighborhood they’re located.
Related: Best Black-Owned Bookstores in Chicago 2025
Visit run clubs led by women and non-binary athletes
Chicago’s running scene exploded after the pandemic, ushering in a movement of identity-based run clubs providing safe spaces for women of color.
These women-led groups show up weekly (and sometimes multiple times per week) to train athletes, provide spaces for healthy social gatherings, and emotionally support their communities, all while leading their own lives with work and family obligations.
Groups like Gold Coast Run Club, Pilsen-based Chingonas and Venados, South Side groups Onthe9, 7 Women, and Midway Mile Chaser Club, and the roving Latinas Run Chicago and Las Doñas have all been hard at work building community.
Most of these clubs operate without financial backing. Follow their social media pages, join their meetups, and ask how you can financially support their work.
Attend Read & Run Chicago events
Allison visiting Peace Runners 773 in February 2025. Credit: Andre Warren.
Read & Run and its Chicago chapter is woman-owned small business (owned by me!) based in Chicago. Our programming aims to support libraries, indie bookstores, and other small businesses in the Chicagoland area. Ticket sale profits not only pay the women behind this organization, but funds are directly invested back into the community, allowing us to hire women and BIPOC authors and speakers, purchase goods and services from women and BIPOC-owned businesses, and promote women and BIPOC-owned initiatives related to movement and stories throughout the city.