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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION CELEBRATING WOMEN & CHILDREN FIRST BOOKSTORE DURING NATIONAL WOMEN’S SMALL BUSINESS MONTH
WHEREAS, October is recognized nationally as Women’s Small Business Month, honoring the vital contributions and achievements of women entrepreneurs and the important role they play in driving economic growth and community development; and
WHEREAS, Women & Children First Bookstore, located in the heart of the Andersonville neighborhood in the 10th District of Cook County, stands as one of the largest and most beloved feminist bookstores in the nation, serving as a literary, cultural, and community hub since its founding in 1979; and
WHEREAS, Women & Children First was founded by Linda Bubon and Ann Christophersen with the mission of promoting the work of women writers and creating a space where women’s voices could be amplified, stories honored, and community built through books and ideas; and
WHEREAS, the bookstore has not only withstood the challenges of a rapidly changing retail landscape but has also thrived under the continued stewardship of current co-owners Lynn Mooney and Sarah Hollenbeck, who purchased the store in 2014 and have carried forward its legacy with passion and vision; and
WHEREAS, Women & Children First is more than a bookstore; it is a sanctuary and gathering space that has fostered dialogue, diversity, and inclusion by uplifting feminist, queer, and anti-racist literature, and by hosting countless author readings, community forums, book groups, and activism events that reflect and support the values of equity and justice; and
WHEREAS, Women & Children First has played a particularly meaningful role in the LGBTQIA+ community, offering an affirming and safe space for queer individuals and families to connect, learn, and find representation in literature that reflects their lives and experiences; and
WHEREAS, the store has also contributed significantly to the cultural identity and economic vitality of Andersonville, helping to establish the neighborhood as one of the most inclusive, vibrant, and welcoming areas in all of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Women & Children First exemplifies the resilience, creativity, and community-minded spirit that defines women-owned small businesses throughout Cook County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the residents of the 10th District and all of Cook County, does hereby honor and celebrate Women & Children First Bookstore for its 45 years of service, advocacy, and inspiration; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Women & Children First Bookstore as a token of appreciation and admiration during National Women’s Small Business Month.
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