Linda Bubon | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 2, 1951 |
| Alma mater | University of Illinois at Chicago |
| Known for | Co-founder of Women & Children First bookstore |
| Awards | Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame |
Linda Bubon is one of the founders of Chicago's Women & Children First bookstore. As of 2011, it was the largest feminist bookstore in the United States. [1] Together with Ann Christophersen, they opened the store in 1979. [2]
Bubon was born on June 2, 1951. [3] She considers herself a lifelong feminist who was "raised in a house of equality" and campaigned for Bobby Kennedy while in high school. [4] Bubon holds a graduate degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago. [5] During the late 1980s, Bubon went to rallies in support of the National Endowment for the Arts. [6] While pursuing her degree, she worked for Borders and Barnes & Noble and cited her desire to one day work in an independent bookstore. [7]
Bubon co-founded Women & Children First bookstore with Ann Christophersen in 1979. [8] On deciding to open their own bookstore, she cites taking inspiration from a feminist criticism group and difficulty encountered finding works by female authors at the time. [9] Bubon recalls looking for a book on a "lesbian life story" and could not find anything after visiting 6 different bookstores. [10] She acknowledged the economic pressure encountered from the big chain bookstores and policies of the George W. Bush administration. [4]
In 2014, she and Christophersen sold the store to two staff members; [5] Bubon continued to work part-time in the store. [6] She was appointed to Chicago's first Advisory Council for gay and lesbian issues by mayor Harold Washington. [9] Bubon also served on the board of the Independent Booksellers of the Chicago Area, the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, and the Chicago Women's Health Center. [9]
Bubon was inducted into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame in 2023. [11]
In April 2004, the Chicago Sun-Times named her one of the 100 most powerful women in Chicago. [12]