Telling the story of Elgin women

Ever wonder how the Hemmens got its name?

Want to know how the Adler Planetarium in Chicago could be vastly different if it weren't for an Elgin woman?

"Elgin: A Women's City," written by Elgin historian Mike Alft, has the answers for you and more.

Funded through a Tapestry of Freedom grant and the Elgin Heritage Commission, the 64-page book tells the stories of the city's early matriarchs and women who broke ground for others.

"The idea is to get out the story of women who made contributions to the community," said Alft, who has written more than a dozen books about Elgin.

"I think this is my last one. I'm 82 years old, I don't think there's any subject I haven't written about," he said.

The book is divided into three parts: women in action, fascinating women and an appendix.

The book's publication coincides with Women's History Month in March and the ongoing Tapestry of Freedom project at the Gail Borden Public Library from now through May.

The grant stipulates that the book cannot be sold for two years, so many of the 1,000-plus copies will be distributed for free to women who visit the library, 270 N. Grove Ave., starting with Alft's appearance and book signing at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

"Not only is my signature free, the book is free," he said, noting much of his material came from old newspaper columns he wrote.

Word was that Alft was going to give a short talk about the book, but Friday he dismissed that notion.

"If I do talk about it, I'm going to talk about the women who produced it," he said.

For the record, they are: Miriam Lytle; Liz Clemmons; Linda Rock; Elizabeth Marston; Debbie Anderson; and Susan Lytinen.

They assisted with everything from providing photographs to editing.

"It's really a women's book," Alft said.