Based on the book "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide" by Pulitzer Prize-winning authors Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, the exhibit "Women Hold Up Half the Sky" explores the challenges women face in the developing world and close to home. Focusing on maternal mortality, sex-trafficking and gender-based violence, the exhibit shares stories of women from around the world. It also highlights the organizations and people who are working to help them such as a victim of human trafficking who became one of the board members of the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation.
"One of our driving principles is that we want to educate people about the lessons of the Holocaust and how they relate to the present day," said Shoshana Buchholz-Miller, vice president of education and exhibitions for the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center. "We want to shine a light on issues of oppression and inequality and atrocity and genocide in other places. We want to focus on women and girls and the inequity they experience, and how we, as a society, benefit when they have more opportunity."
The exhibit also provides opportunities for visitors to make a difference. It can be by sending postcards to their senator about legislation supporting victims of domestic violence, sharing what they've learned on social media, and giving money or time to help local organizations.
"We really want people to look at this as an opportunity to be inspired to take action," Buchholz-Miller said.
Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie, (847) 967-4800, ilholocaustmuseum.org/
Hours:
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Wednesday;
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, from Sunday, Sept. 25, to Jan. 22
Admission: $12; $8 for seniors and students; $6 for kids 5-11
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