Discovering Catharine: Inspiring Action

A Documentary Screening Event, Celebration of Women’s Rights & Intergenerational Activism

The Evanston History Center, in collaboration with The Woman’s Club of Evanston and The Woman’s Club of Evanston Charitable Foundation, is proud to present a screening of Discovering Catharine, a new documentary by award-winning filmmaker Susan Hope Engel, on the life of the remarkable Evanstonian voting rights activist Catharine Waugh McCulloch. This special event will take place on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at 7:00 PM at The Woman’s Club of Evanston, located at 1702 Chicago Avenue.

Discovering Catharine, produced by McCulloch’s great-granddaughter Ann McCulloch and filmmaker Engel, chronicles the life and legacy of Catharine Waugh McCulloch (1862 – 1945), a pioneering female attorney and ardent advocate for women’s rights. In addition to working tirelessly for 20 years to secure women’s right to vote, McCulloch championed numerous women’s rights causes, including the passage of laws granting women equal guardianship over their children (1901) and raising the age of consent for girls from 14 to 16 years (1905). McCulloch also made history as the first woman elected Justice of the Peace in Illinois.

Post-Film Panel Discussion with Evanston Changemakers

Following the screening, a multi-generational group of Evanston-based female activists will engage in a panel discussion on how McCulloch’s legacy has influenced modern activism and what today’s young women are doing to continue the fight for gender equality and social justice.

Guest panelists include:

• Elisa Karen Walker: Staff and board member at FirstRepair and student at Hampton University.

• Olivia Ohlson: Evanston Township High School senior, 2021 “Future of Evanston Award” winner, and founder of Diversify Golf.

• Aimee Resnick: Social policy student at Northwestern University, founder of the Colorado Alliance for Size Equity, and 2024 Her Bold Move Fall Fellow.

  
  

This conversation will connect the contributions of women across generations, providing insights into the power of intergenerational activism and the ongoing work for equality and justice.

Opening Remarks by U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky

We are honored to have U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky, who appears in Discovering Catharine, provide opening remarks for the evening. As a tireless advocate for women’s and civil rights, Schakowsky will share her reflections on McCulloch’s enduring impact and the importance of continued activism today.

Bring a Friend or Family Member

We encourage guests to attend with a family member or friend from a different generation. The event provides a unique opportunity for meaningful intergenerational dialogue, as attendees reflect on the progress made and the work still needed in the fight for equality.

Voter Registration Available

In honor of National Voter Education Week, voter registration will be available on-site. This event not only offers a chance to learn from history but also to take action and ensure your voice is heard in the upcoming 2024 presidential election.

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Event Details

• Title: Discovering Catharine Screening and Panel Discussion: Inspiring Action

• Date: Tuesday, October 8, 2024

• Time: 7:00 PM

• Location: The Woman’s Club of Evanston, 1702 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, IL

• Cost: Free, with a suggested donation

• RSVP Required: Please scroll down to RSVP and secure your spot!

This event is presented in partnership with The Woman’s Club of Evanston and The Woman’s Club of Evanston Charitable Foundation.

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Support Free Programming

Please consider donating $10 to the Evanston History Center to support ongoing public programming. Your contribution helps them continue providing enriching experiences that inspire action and foster community engagement.

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“This event in conjunction with the Woman's Club of Evanston is just one example of the Evanston History Center connecting the dots from our Collections to today's issues,” says the Center’s Executive Director, Deborah Kasindorf. “The screening of Discovering Catharine during National Voter Education Week is very intentional. We are also excited for attendees to hear from our panel of contemporary female trailblazers.”

The event is presented in connection with the Evanston Women’s History Project, an initiative launched in 2007 to document and celebrate the influential women and organizations that have shaped Evanston. While past work has focused on women’s history up to the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1919, the project is now expanding to include stories from post-World War II to the present.

Admission to the event is free, but an RSVP is required. Please register at evanstonhistorycenter.org to secure your spot. We encourage attendees to bring family members from different generations to foster intergenerational dialogue and inspire ongoing activism, especially among youth. Voter registration will be available onsite.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the extraordinary life of Catharine Waugh McCulloch, meet inspiring local changemakers, and engage in a powerful discussion about the past, present, and future of women's rights.

Be part of the movement—Discovering Catharine, inspiring action for generations to come!