On May 14th, CWIP Women and twelve students from Holy Family Ministry School headed out on a walking tour through the South Side of Chicago based on the self-guided tour outlined in the book Lifting as They Climb. The tour maps the lives of Black women activists, educators and artists who contributed to the development of Chicago and beyond.
The tour started at Chicago Commons where the students meet up with the CWIP Women for a welcome ice breaker before the start of the Journey. There was a total of 15 historical sites visited including Ida B. Wells-Barnett and Ferdinand Barnett’s former residence, All Nations Church and Marjorie Joyner Stewart Home and basement beauty salon.
Each student received a plant in a jar to help inspire them to grow. The card attached had the following quote.
The new dawn blooms as we free it.
For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it.
The tour ended with a box lunch and the sharing of the highlights of the day.