Historic West Woodlawn

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Place of Pioneers

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A Wonderful Walkable Village

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Historic West Woodlawn ~ Place of Pioneers ~ A Wonderful Walkable Village ~

Katherine Mary Dunham (June 22, 1909 – May 21, 2006) was an American dancer, choreographer, anthropologist, and social activist. One of the most renowned modern dance artists of the 20th century, she has been called the "matriarch and queen mother of black dance."

While a student at the University of Chicago, Dunham also performed as a dancer, ran a dance school and earned an early bachelor's degree in anthropology. Receiving a postgraduate academic fellowship, she went to the Caribbean to study the African diaspora, ethnography and local dance. She returned to graduate school and submitted a master's thesis to the anthropology faculty. She did not complete the other requirements for that degree, however, as she realized that her professional calling was performance and choreography. We honor her today as a revered ancestor of West Woodlawn. Read More

Christina Rice is a multidisciplinary artist and community leader from Chicago’s South Side (South Shore, Roseland), now rooted in Woodlawn. She leads Global Girls, Inc., a 25-year-old organization cultivating girls into global leaders via performing arts and cultural experiences; she grew up in the program founded by Marvinetta Penn.

Christina spoke with us at the Green Living Room about her work with Global Girls, her experiences in Woodlawn, and her love of the environment.

YOU CAN ACCESS THE VIDEO BELOW.

Christina Rice shares her story of West Woodlawn

I am a multidisciplinary artist and community leader. I grew up on the south side of Chicago, kind of bouncing from community to community as Chicagoans do. Maybe go to school over and here, may go to after school programs here, have your first summer job downtown. And that was really my story. But a lot of my development was rooted in South Shore, and Roseland, of course, which is where I'm from.

And my new home is Woodlawn.

Read More

How Global Girls shaped me into a confident young woman ready to lead as well as serve

“I think if you have ears to hear, you will hear the earth crying.” Why we have a duty take care of the environment.

How I met the Blacks in Green team and the importance of collaboration

I am committed to revitalize Global Girls with extensive data based analysis and structured business development strategies.

Being from Chicago equips you to function effectively any where in the world.

As a trained dancer I feel most connected to Katherine Dunham through her movement.