No Ceilings, No Silence: Women’s History Month Hits Different in Chicago

Amplify: A Night of Legacy, Leadership & Liberation in Chicago

In a city known for its grit, grace, and greatness, March’s energy turned all the way up as women from every corner of Chicago gathered to celebrate Women’s History Month—not just with applause, but with purpose.

Held at a vibrant, sold-out event co-keynoted by community powerhouse Sherida Morrison and Mayor Brandon Johnson, the evening pulsed with history, hope, and a serious reminder: our voices are our power—and now is the time to AMPLIFY.

From the opening “summer camp” call-and-response to the thunderous claps echoing unity, the celebration wasn’t just a ceremony. It was a charge.

📖 Leslé Honoré, poet and Urban Gateways CEO, opened with a soul-stirring performance of “If You Raise Free Daughters”—a generational love letter that reminded us that empowering girls is a revolutionary act.

💪 Deputy Mayor Naren Hashim Jani reminded us of the resilience that lives in every immigrant mother, every policy win, and every woman who chooses equity over silence.

🎤 Then came Sherida Morrison, whose keynote had us on our feet—high-fiving and high-tenning—repeating the word that now echoes across Chicago: AMPLIFY.

“To amplify is to raise the volume of truth, of justice, and of love.”“We refuse to whisper when the world needs a ROAR.”

The room of elected officials, nonprofit founders, caregivers, visionaries, and everyday sheroes rose together to call out names of women—mothers, ancestors, mentors—who made this moment possible.

Coalition on Urban Girls Founder Sherida Morrison delivers an impactful messaging that empowered everyone in the room! WATCH HER

When Mayor Johnson took the mic, he reminded us that the city's leadership isn't just changing—it’s transforming.

“If you haven’t noticed, there's a West Side takeover in the atmosphere,” he joked, before getting serious: “Every time they take a shot at my Administration, they are taking a shot at Black and Brown women. And I won't stand for it.”

From reproductive justice to one fair wage, from maternal health to mental health access—this celebration marked more than a moment. It marked a movement.

Because here in Chicago, women aren’t just leading...

We’re leading LOUD.

And we won’t be silenced.