Introduction: City of big shoulders or city of homes?: Re-envisioning urban history
Part 1. Crafting the vision
"The whole work has been committed to the hands of women": Women respond to the fire of 1871
"Thoughtful women are needed": Forming groups and forging alliances
Part 2. Expanding the vision
"The first thing is to create public sentiment and then express it at every opportunity": The growth of progressive activism
"The welfare of the community requires the admission of women to full citizenship": The campaign for municipal suffrage, 1896-1912
"To bring together women interested in promoting the welfare of the city": The expansion of women's municipal work, 1910-16
Campaigning for the vision
"I do not think the husband will influence the wife's vote in municipal affairs": Women as voters and potential officeholders, 1913-19
"Looking out for the interests of the people": Municipal activism through the 1920s
"I am the only woman on their entire ticket": The end of an era
Conclusion: Chicago remains the city of big shoulders.
