Honoring Peoria’s Women

By Matt Hawkins

Two Bradley students spotlighted accomplished Peoria women for Women’s History Month. Jenna Krukowski ’16, a history and communication major from Oak Lawn, Illinois, and criminal justice studies major Samantha Robinson ’16, of Hampshire, Illinois, honored six Peoria natives with an exhibit at Peoria Public Library’s main branch during March.

The exhibit features University founder Lydia Moss Bradley, feminist author Betty Friedan, Susan G. Komen foundation founder Nancy Brinker, retired Center for the Prevention of Abuse executive director Martha Herm, retired Peoria Circuit Court Judge Jerelyn Maher and Illinois Third District Appellate Judge Mary McDade.

Additionally, Krukowski and Robinson submitted biographies of Herm, Maher and McDade to the National Women’s Hall of Fame Books of Lives and Legacies.

“As I studied the women, I saw ordinary people who did extraordinary things,” Krukowski said. “While we at first see them as great people who did great things, we forget they are regular humans who did something to become famous. I want people to be inspired by that.”

Krukowski and Robinson researched the women, interviewed several and found a collection of photos and artifacts that would appeal to the public.

“This allows people from the community to connect to these women easily,” Robinson said. “For us Bradley students, it’s a chance to remember important things we sometimes forget about the woman who founded our University.”

In addition to meeting Peoria legends and learning history, the students discovered new approaches to their academic disciplines. Robinson, a women’s and gender studies minor with dreams of a legal career, brought her analytical skills and niche interest in women’s history. Krukowski used the project to hone creativity and planning abilities that will help her pursue a career in museums.

“This was an amazing opportunity to use different skills,” Krukowski said. “It was a blank canvas and something I never had the opportunity to try before. It speaks volumes of Bradley staff who had the connections and allowed us to do this project.”

Beyond the history exhibit, Krukowski is exploring Peoria women’s history through the lens of technology. She is working with the Betty Friedan Tribute Committee to enhance the Friedan informational website hosted by Bradley University.

Bradley’s Cullom-Davis Library also is hosting a Women’s History Month exhibit assembled by history major Olivia Stufflebeam ’16, of Hanna City. The exhibit focuses on Peoria’s women activists from abolitionism through the post-1945 women’s rights movement. The project will be on display through the end of the spring semester.