A Look At The Life And Legacy Of Ida B. Wells

By Kyra Mitchell
In this Dec. 2, 2011 file photo, Michelle Duster, great-granddaughter of civil rights pioneer Ida B. Wells who led a crusade against lynching during the early 20th century, holds a portrait of Wells in her home in Chicago’s South Side.
In this Dec. 2, 2011 file photo, Michelle Duster, great-granddaughter of civil rights pioneer Ida B. Wells who led a crusade against lynching during the early 20th century, holds a portrait of Wells in her home in Chicago's South Side. Charles Rex Arbogast, File / AP Photo
In this Dec. 2, 2011 file photo, Michelle Duster, great-granddaughter of civil rights pioneer Ida B. Wells who led a crusade against lynching during the early 20th century, holds a portrait of Wells in her home in Chicago’s South Side.
In this Dec. 2, 2011 file photo, Michelle Duster, great-granddaughter of civil rights pioneer Ida B. Wells who led a crusade against lynching during the early 20th century, holds a portrait of Wells in her home in Chicago's South Side. Charles Rex Arbogast, File / AP Photo

A Look At The Life And Legacy Of Ida B. Wells

By Kyra Mitchell
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“If the Illinois women do not take a stand now in this great democratic parade then the colored women are lost…I shall not march at all unless I can march under the Illinois banner.” Those are the words of Ida B. Wells during the 1913 Women’s Suffrage Parade in Washington D.C. On that day, she was denied to walk with other white woman from Illinois and was told to go to the section for black women at the back of the parade procession.

This is just a piece of one of the many stories from the journalist, civil rights activist, and suffragist, Ida B. Wells. With her strong ties to city, a couple of Chicago aldermen have proposed to rename Balbo street name with “Ida B. Wells Drive” to honor her legacy.

Morning Shift talks with two of her great-grandchildren to discuss her life, activism, and monumental connection to Chicago.

GUEST:
Daniel Duster, president of Development Group and great-grandson of suffragist and activist Ida B. Wells