Linda Bubon

Linda Bubon
Born (1951-06-02) June 2, 1951
Alma materUniversity of Illinois at Chicago
Known forCo-founder of Women & Children First bookstore
AwardsChicago 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]

Early life and education

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]

Career

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]

Awards and honors

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]

References

  1. ^ Hageman, William (October 7, 2011). "Remarkable Person: Linda Bubon & Ann Christophersen". The Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  2. ^ "Linda Bubon". Chicago Gay History. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  3. ^ Collins, Mary Jean (January 2022). "Interview with Linda Bubon". Veteran Feminists of America. Retrieved 15 November 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Linda Bubon's 'Woman and Children First', The 'Anchor' in Andersonville". Columbia College Chicago. May 18, 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2025.
  5. ^ a b Hart, Benji (October 8, 2019). "This Bookstore Is Still on the Cutting Edge of Feminism, 40 Years Later". Them. Retrieved 15 November 2025.
  6. ^ a b Wong, Wailin (March 29, 2016). "Independent, Literary, Political". signalvnoise.com. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
  7. ^ Blue, Elly (August 31, 2016). "Indie Bookstore Love: Women & Children First!". Microcosm Publishing. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  8. ^ Corley, Cheryl (October 27, 2013). "One Way For An Indie Bookstore To Last? Put Women 'First'". NPR. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
  9. ^ a b c Baim, Tracy (March 2009). Out and Proud in Chicago: An Overview of the City's Gay Community. Agate Publishing. p. 122. ISBN 9781572846432. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
  10. ^ Onosaka, Junko (October 14, 2013). Feminist Revolution in Literacy: Women's Bookstores in the United States. Taylor & Francis. p. 130. ISBN 9781135499082. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  11. ^ "Linda Bubon". The Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame. Retrieved 15 November 2025.
  12. ^ Weissmann, Dan (June 3, 2004). "Breaking the Chains". Reader. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
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