Dates:
Tue, Oct 6, 2026, 4:30 PM–5:30 PM
Geraldine Lane Mardis was a graduate of Parker High School and the University of Chicago. Her career focused on serving children in orthopedic and cerebral palsy clinics. She gained notoriety in 1939 when asked to withdraw from a college beauty contest, but her story does not end there. Join us to learn more, talk about evolving beauty standards and have some hands-on practice on accentuating your natural beauty with esthetician LaGena Cain. Learn more in our archives! Presented as part of the Renaissance Project, this event invites participants to actively engage with the rich and often untold stories of Black history and heritage at Chicago Public Library. This program is made possible with support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to the Chicago Public Library Foundation. Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email access@chipublib.org to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event. Photo credit: Geraldine Lane Mardis Papers, [Box 2, Folder 011], Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature
Categories: Workshops
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