Stories by Meredith Francis

Bushra Amiwala shares her story of becoming the youngest Muslim elected official in the United States. She's featured in the upcoming documentary, And She Could Be Next.

We visit the WTTW archives with two interviews with feminist leader, journalist, and political activist Gloria Steinem.

A series of bronze plaques on the famous rainbow pylons in Chicago's Boystown neighborhood make up the Legacy Walk – an outdoor museum highlighting the historical and cultural contributions of LGBTQ people.

In 1981, nearly 100 Japanese Americans testified at Northeastern Illinois University as part of an official government investigation into the constitutionality of the World War II internment camps that incarcerated 120,000 residents and citizens of Japanese ancestry. Their stories have recently been rediscovered in a tape collection found in the University's archives.

For decades, Chicago's Chinatown neighborhood didn't have a park or any significant green space. Roughly 20 years ago, that changed. Get to know the story of Ping Tom Park, one of the city's hidden gems.

The Art Institute may be closed right now, but you can take a virtual tour of its vast collection, featuring insight from some of its curators, plus get to see what it was like twenty years ago, in an archival program from WTTW hosted by the late Brian Dennehy.

Executive produced by Ken Burns, The Gene: An Intimate History is a new two-part documentary that traces the history of the study of genetics and examines the ethical implications of new technologies. Plus, learn more about genes in a creative animated digital series.

As many parents work from home or on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis, and as kids try their hands at digital learning, there is a lot to process. The gang on Sesame Street has the tools to help.

Tap into your scientific side with shows from Nature and Nova with ten shows you can stream for free.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment, which guarantees women the right to vote. Chicago was home to some of the leading suffragists in the nation, and they brought Illinois women a limited right to vote years before 1920.

As schools close in Illinois and around the country and many people are hunkered down or working from home, we are looking for educational and entertaining things to do! PBS KIDS has games that will help keep your little ones occupied.

Muckraker journalist Upton Sinclair started a national movement for food safety after the publication of his 1906 novel, The Jungle, although that wasn't his aim. “I aimed at the public's heart, and by accident I hit it in the stomach,” he said. 

Chicago improv team Improvised Jane Austen improvises stories set in Jane Austen’s world using the themes, characters, and language of the beloved author. 

Clifford the Big Red Dog and his pal Emily Elizabeth are returning to PBS KIDS for more larger-than-life adventures with new animation, songs, and more.

It already feels like winter in Chicago, so it’s time to break out the mittens, lace up the skates, and fill your mug with hot cocoa­­—though not necessarily in that order. Here are just some of the things you can do around Chicagoland this holiday season.