Although the Frances Willard House Museum is best known as the private home of its most famous resident, the social reformer and women’s suffragist who was the longtime leader of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, the house at 1730 Chicago Ave. was also a unique site for women’s work.

This year the Frances Willard House Museum is exploring Willard’s “Do Everything” leadership model by looking closely at the way female activists like Willard accomplished their work through connection, collaboration and organization.

The 2021 theme is taken from a quote by Willard:

“Alone we can do little. Separated, we are the units of weakness; 
but aggregated we become batteries of power. 
Agitate, educate, organize – these are the deathless watchwords of success.”

Two upcoming museum events – one virtual, one on-site – will dig into the history and significance of women’s work at the Willard House, the original site of “Do Everything” leadership.

On Sunday, Sept. 26 at 4 p.m., an online exploration of the Willard House’s office spaces: Rare 19th-century photographs from the collection will be shown alongside images of the recently restored rooms. A discussion of what it means to interpret, and currently work in, a historic women’s workplace, as well as how Willard’s “Do Everything” approach can be applied today will also take place. RSVP for this free online program here.

On Tuesday Sept. 28, Frances Willard’s birthday, experience the office spaces firsthand by taking a special “Do Everything” tour. Tours will be held at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. and are available by reservation only. Tours are $15 and can be scheduled via the online reservation form or by calling 847-328-7500.

For more information visit franceswillardhouse.org.