If there is a Naperville woman whose story should be told and documented for history, the folks at Naper Settlement want to hear it.
The history museum is launching HERstory, a new program that will highlight the lives of 100 female Naperville residents as part of the centennial anniversary of 19th amendment, which granted women the right to vote.
The purpose of the program is to share the stories of local women who are making history with their own stories of leadership, perseverance and power.
“Her story happens every day, in our homes and our communities,” said Rena Tamayo-Calabrese, settlement president and CEO. “Women are mothers sisters, athletes, artists, professionals, activists and role models.”
To help share those stories, the settlement is asking Naperville residents to nominate themselves or any woman or girl whose stories will inspire others. Nominations can be made in a written statement or video that shares how the person has made an impact in the community, served as a leader, overcome obstacles or empowered others.
The call for nominations is “the first phase in a year-long effort to bring the stories of women and girls of the past and present to the forefront,” settlement spokeswoman Abbey Bobzin said in a news release.
Throughout the year, the stories of these women and girls will be featured in multimedia projects put together as museum exhibits, social media campaigns, temporary public art pieces and website features.
To kick off the celebration, the settlement will highlight the legacy of Caroline Martin Mitchell, Naperville’s single largest philanthropist, whose property donation upon her death helped create Naper Settlement.
Mitchell bequeathed her home, carriage house and 200-acre property and orchards for the creation of a museum, gathering place and a space for the greater public good. In addition the settlement, her land is now used for Knock Park, Naperville Central High School, the Millennium Carillon and other sites in the city, Bobzin said in the release.
Tamayo-Calabrese said many women in Naperville “inspire every day and craft their own legacy, just as Caroline Martin Mitchell did when establishing our grounds as a community gathering place and museum.
“We’re honored to be the storytellers and keepers of Naperville’s history, past and present,” she said. “HERstory is an exciting opportunity to tell an inclusive story of the amazing women in our community.”
There is no criteria nominees must meet so all entries are welcome, officials said. Nominations can be in the form of a one-minute video or 250-word statement and there is no limit on the number of submissions.
Nominations will be accepted through November 2020. For more information, go to https://napersettlement.org/HERstory.
Taylor Hartz is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.