Abstract
This article investigates gender and political machines, specifically exploring women's activism and roles within Chicago's unique political tapestry during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Whereas extant literature investigates the racial, ethnic, and class dimensions of machine politics, a gap subsists regarding a direct exploration of gender dynamics – especially during and following the Richard J. Daley administration. The research unveils how women have navigated, contested, and shaped Chicago society and politics amid the tides of reform-minded ideals and an emergent, formidable machine. Despite achieving remarkable strides during the Progressive Era, the Cook County machine paradoxically shaped women's participation and activism while eroding progress. The insights garnered from this analysis do not remain an anachronism of history but resound with relevance for contemporary politics, revealing challenges and providing the groundwork for further explorations aimed at deconstructing gendered power within political structures.
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