Restarted Chicago Branch Leaders Stepping Forward

Left to right:  Chicago WILPF Branch leaders:  Gloria Pierce, Rev. Zenobia Sowell, Carron Little, Marybeth Gardam, Martha Collins, Dianne Blais, Clarence Beals. Credit: Marybeth Gardam

by Gloria McMillan and Marybeth Gardam

July/August 2024

On Friday, May 17th at the Greek Isles Restaurant in Chicago’s South Side, WILPF Chicago leaders who had been meeting virtually for a year were able to come together in person for a pop up event that blended organizing and socializing!

Rev. Zenobia Sowell, co-pastor of the Bethel Mennonite Church was joined by her congregants Gloria Pierce and Clarence Beals, along with Carron Little of the Chicago Women’s History Center. Representing WILPF US was Marybeth Gardam of Iowa, Martha Collins of the Milwaukee WI Branch, and Dianne Blais of the virtual Jane Addams Branch. Not present but very much involved in the Chicago Branch Restart effort was Gloria McMillan of Tucson AZ WILPF Branch.

Left to right, Rebecca Alwin and Joy Morgen of Madison WI Raging Grannies, Dianne Blais of the virtual Jane Addams Branch, and Marybeth Gardam in front of the historic Jane Addams Hull House Museum; Credit: Marybeth Gardam

Meeting locations for the newly relaunched branch were discussed and both the Women’s History Center and Bethel Mennonite Church offered rooms to get the branch up and running. The branch is planning to meet in person soon and will begin by alternating between the two locations. 

Earlier in the day, part of the group toured the nearby Jane Addams Hull House Museum, which was exceptionally inspiring and the perfect prompt for the Chicago Branch Relaunch gathering.  

Anyone in Illinois interested in joining the WILPF Chicago Branch, contact Gloria McMillan at scifi200111@gmail.com.