Public History Projects
Ida B. Wells Drive
Ida B. Wells Historical Marker
Ida B. Wells Drive
With the initiative of the League of Women Voters, support from Michelle, over 60 organizations, and Aldermans Sophia King and Brendan Reilly, the major street of Congress Parkway was changed to Ida B. Wells Drive on July 25, 2018. The signs were unveiled at a February 11, 2019 ceremony.
Ida B. Wells Way
Ida B. Wells Historical Marker
Ida B. Wells Drive
Michelle worked with Alderman Sophia King (4th ward) to have 37th Street from King Drive - Vincennes bear the honorary street name of Ida B. Wells Way. It is located 1/2 block away from the 3624 S. King Drive home where Wells lived from 1919 - 1930. It was unveiled on
July 20, 2019.
Ida B. Wells Historical Marker
Ida B. Wells Historical Marker
Historical Marker for Ida B. Wells' Parents
On July 20, 2019 an historical marker was placed at 37th & Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Chicago to honor both the housing community that was originally named after Ida B. Wells in addition to her life
and legacy
Historical Marker for Ida B. Wells' Parents
Historical Marker for Ida B. Wells' Parents
Historical Marker for Ida B. Wells' Parents
The Ida B. Wells-Barnett Museum in Ida's hometown of Holly Springs, MS initiated the idea of creating a marker to honor the parents of Ida B. Wells. Michelle wrote the text for this piece that is located in
Hillcrest Cemetery.
Ida B. Wells Documentary Film
Historical Marker for Ida B. Wells' Parents
Ida B. Wells Documentary Film
In the late 1980s, premiere filmmaker, William Greaves produced the first documentary film about Ida B. Wells. Michelle worked on the film as a researcher
and tech assistant.
Click here to learn about the film.
Ida B. Wells Monument
Historical Marker for Ida B. Wells' Parents
Ida B. Wells Documentary Film
Since 2008, Michelle Duster has worked with the Ida B. Wells Commemorative Art Committee to develop a monument in honor of Ida B. Wells on the land where the Ida B. Wells Homes stood from 1941-2002. It will be installed in 2021.
Projects In the Works
Mural to Chicago-Area Suffragists
Michelle Duster helped organize the Chicago Womxn’s Suffrage Tribute Committee which is commissioning two murals celebrating the work of local activists in obtaining the right to vote for women.
The Chicago Suffrage Mural will honor the work of 10 Chicago-based women in what will be the largest outdoor tribute in the city to their work. The goal is to have it completed by Fall 2021. Click here for more information and to support the project.
Tribute to Illinois Womxn's Political Trailblazers
Still in the idea stage, the goal is to create pieces state-wide to honor the women of Illinois who were political trailblazers.