Richard Chew is joined by Michelle Duster, author, educator, historian, and Chicagoan known for her work to preserve the legacy of her great-grandmother, Ida B. Wells.
Duster discussed her public-history mural projects and the importance of recognizing women’s suffrage history, then addressed racial and gender bias in current political leadership. Here are a few highlights from the conversation:
- Duster’s suffrage murals have grown into a national series recognizing local suffragists city by city, with projects in Chicago, New York, and Portland.
- She emphasized that women’s suffrage took generations, and voting access remained unequal for women of color even after the 19th Amendment; many Black women gained voting rights through the Voting Rights Act.
- She criticized the Trump administration’s claims about and approach to so-called meritocracy, arguing that highly qualified women of color face scrutiny while unqualified people are promoted.
Catch "Chew's Views with Richard Chew” weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/chews-views).
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