Home » Posts tagged 'Chicago history'

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  Bonne Bell: 10,000 Meter Race For Women

  Chicago, Eleanor Boyer, Videomakers

  This video documents Chicago’s first 6.2 mile race for women. Organized and hosted by the Loop Center YWCA in April,1978, it was billed as one of the largest, if not the largest, sporting event for women to that date. Over 2000 entrants completed the race. The tape vividly captures the excitement of women of all ages, races and economic status, many of whom were motivated to run by the desire to do something ‘just for themselves.’ Loop YWCA organizers, Sharon Mier and Erma Tranter appear in the tape as does then mayor of Chicago, Michael Bilandic.

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  Getting Strong: Self Defense For Women

  Chicago, Eleanor Boyer, Videomakers

  In the early 1970’s Chicago’s Loop Center YWCA implemented a variety of anti-rape programs to combat societal beliefs and institutional practices that negatively impacted women. Self defense for women was one of these programs. In this video, comments by men, women and interviews with women self-defense instructors, Carol Whiteside, Sue Gould and Andra Medea, document prevailing attitudes about women’s ability to defend themselves from physical attack. The video shows techniques taught in the women’s self-defense classes at the Loop YWCA.

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  La Maestra: Maria Luisa Michel Almonte

  Chicago, Communities, Eleanor Boyer, Latinx, Videomakers

  Maria Almonte immigrated from Mexico to Chicago’s Pilsen–Little Village neighborhood in 1950. An
  artist/teacher, she supported her family from her flower shop business and became a leader in the
  educational and cultural life of the community. She taught traditional arts, crafts, and practical skills

  like dress-making in settlement houses, in community workshops and in her own studio. At the age of
  70 she continued to teach and act on her belief that artistic expression is a powerful tool for
  developing cultural identity and individual self-esteem. The video shows Ms. Almonte in community-
  sponsored workshops teaching neighborhood residents how to make traditional cut-paper ornaments
  and how to design clothing. In the hall of a local church her students model their creations and receive
  recognition. Produced, directed and edited by Eleanor Boyer and Karen Peugh. Partially funded by
  the Illinois Arts Council and the Center for New Television with a Joyce Foundation grant.
  Gold Can Award, Chicago Access Corporation, 1986; Certificate of Merit, Chicago International
  Film Festival, 1984

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  Hot Video with Chicago Conspiracy

  Blog, Chicago

  Aaron Sorkin’s recent film, The Trial of the Chicago 7, has revived interest in the historical events which took place in Chicago between 1968 and 1970.  During the entire trial between September 1969 and February 1970, seven of the eight defendants (Bobby Seale had been removed from the trial and left Chicago) gathered as a complete group only twice. The following video is a documentation of one of those two occurrences. R.G. Davis, founder of the San Francisco Mime Troupe, […]

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  Once Upon a Time Down Clark Street

  Blog

  Twenty-four years after the release of Down Clark Street, a documentary uncovering the now bygone Clark Street of the 1960s and 70s, legendary filmmaker Tom Palazzolo has released a new book of photographs revealing yet another remarkable and candid glimpse at a street integral to Chicago’s history. Simply titled Clark Street, the book contains dozens of photographs taken by Palazzolo himself in addition to essays by artists who have known both Palazzolo and Chicago for decades. In 1962, Palazzolo moved […]

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  [Carol Marin Steps down after Channel 5 hires Jerry Springer as news commentator]

  Carol Marin, Chicago

  Composite of several stories on the resignation of Carol Marin from WMAQ-TV in protest of being asked to co-anchor with Jerry Springer, including: 5/4/97: Carol Marin Interview on Good Morning America after stepping down; 5/4/97: CNN – Reliable Sources; 5/5/97: The Late Show with Tom Snyder.

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  Daley: The Last Boss

  Chicago, Chicago Politics

  Documentary about Chicago’s mayor, Richard J. Daley.

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  Opening Day: Bill Veeck’s Signs of Spring

  Bill Veeck, Blog

  “I have discovered in 20 years of moving around a ballpark that the knowledge of the game is usually in inverse proportion to the price of the seats.” —Bill Veeck It’s opening day at Wrigley Field and the Cubs will play the first game of their 100th season at Wrigley. To celebrate we have a video of legendary baseball owner Bill Veeck in the stands at Wrigley on opening day 1985. As a fan and an owner Bill Veeck offered a […]