The Chicago Women's Liberation Union (CWLU) was an American feminist organization founded in 1969 at a conference in Palatine, Illinois.
[1][2] The main goal of the organization was to end gender inequality and sexism, which the CWLU defined as "the systematic keeping down of women for the benefit of people in power.
[4] Vivian Rothstein was the CWLU's first staff member, organized its representative decision-making part, and aided the establishment of its Liberation School for Women.
These chapters worked to develop and strengthen peoples' consciousness and skills, to provide free or inexpensive quality services for women, and to challenge politics through direct action.
The CWLU wanted to spread their ideas, inform others of the political direction of the Union, and increase awareness of their chapters and programs.
They raised controversial yet critical points and discussed current, significant issues with women that they met through neighborhood projects.
Secret Storm focused primarily on the problematic structure of neighborhoods and the inequality women encountered in the workplace.
The Chicago Women's Graphics Collective originally used silkscreen to create their large brilliantly colored prints because it was inexpensive and posters could be produced in member's apartments.
A representative from each work group went to monthly meetings of the Steering Committee to reach consensus on organizational policy and strategy.
The Liberation School taught women practical and technological skills such as producing low priced political art or running pregnancy tests.
The CWLU did not participate in electoral politics, instead work groups took on the city government to advocate for women's rights.
The Action Coalition for Decent Childcare (ACDC), organized by members of the CWLU, fought for and won the case for changing licensing codes for day care providers.
The majority of CWLU members were Caucasian, however they took part in health work for Latino communities, fought against racial discrimination in gay and lesbian bars, and had many affiliations with diverse groups.
The CWLU started using the word socialist feminism in order to provoke consciousness of the gender inequality during that time period where patriarchy was dominant in all aspects of society.
Due to factors such as gender discrimination, women were denied the opportunity for advancement in the workforce and were paid less than men for the same work.
The Anti-Rape Movement of the 1970s in Chicago provided an opportunity for women to feel empowered by generating change within institutions.
Some of these movements included the University of Illinois at Chicago's (UIC) women's studies program, which is still active today.
The CWLU worked with Chicago NOW on several projects including defense of the Abortion 7, the City Hall janitress campaign, and an economic justice march in 1974.
The League of Women Voters and the CWLU worked together on the City Hall janitress campaign against pay discrimination.