Discover Activism in Chicago, IL dedicated to supporting and empowering your community. Our directory features organizations committed to addressing the unique needs and challenges of the community through advocacy, programs, and services.
The DePaul Women's Bar Association is a student-led organization rooted in the mission of supporting and empowering women within DePaul University's law school community in Chicago, IL. As a dedicated student organization, it serves as a welcoming space where law students can connect, share experiences, and build meaningful relationships with fellow members who are passionate about advancing women's voices and perspectives in the legal profession.
Located at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, the Women's Bar Association creates an inclusive community for students interested in networking, professional growth, and mutual support. The organization recognizes the unique challenges and opportunities that women face in law and provides a platform for members to engage with one another authentically and purposefully. Through its various events and activities, the association fosters a sense of belonging and solidarity among its members while celebrating the diverse backgrounds and aspirations of the women in its community.
As part of the vibrant student life at DePaul in Chicago, IL, the Women's Bar Association embodies the university's commitment to creating inclusive spaces where all students can thrive. The organization values connection, collaboration, and the empowerment of its members to pursue their professional goals with confidence and support. By bringing together law students who share common interests and values, the DePaul Women's Bar Association contributes meaningfully to the overall campus culture and provides a crucial resource for women navigating their legal education and early career development.
DePaul OUTlaws is a student-led organization at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, committed to creating a welcoming and affirming community for LGBTQ+ students and their allies. As a registered student organization, OUTlaws embodies DePaul's core values of community, inclusion, and respect by providing spaces where students can authentically connect, share experiences, and build meaningful friendships. The organization recognizes the importance of peer support and community engagement in the college experience, particularly for students navigating their identities within an academic environment.
Based in Chicago, IL, DePaul OUTlaws functions as more than just a social club—it serves as a vital support network and advocacy platform for LGBTQ+ students at the university. Through the DeHUB campus engagement platform, members stay informed about events, activities, and opportunities to get involved while building connections with others in the community. The organization's presence on campus reflects DePaul University's ongoing commitment to fostering an environment where all students feel valued, respected, and empowered to be their authentic selves.
The mission of DePaul OUTlaws centers on community building, mutual support, and celebrating the diversity of student experiences at DePaul University in Chicago. By bringing together students from various backgrounds and identities, the organization contributes to a more inclusive campus culture and demonstrates the university's dedication to supporting the holistic development and well-being of all its students.
If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice operates as a student organization at DePaul University College of Law, rooted in the institution's deep commitment to serving Chicago's most vulnerable populations. This organization embodies DePaul's mission-driven approach to legal education by bringing together law students passionate about reproductive rights and justice. Based in Chicago, IL, the group connects with a national network dedicated to ensuring all people have the freedom to make personal decisions about their bodies, futures, and families.
The organization reflects DePaul College of Law's institutional values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, creating a community where students can explore reproductive justice issues through both academic and practical lenses. Members work collaboratively to understand how law intersects with reproductive autonomy, informed by the law school's emphasis on clinical experience and community engagement. The student-led initiative demonstrates how DePaul law students translate their education into meaningful advocacy for populations often marginalized in legal and policy discussions.
Located within one of Chicago's leading legal education institutions, If/When/How benefits from faculty mentorship, law library resources, and connections to the broader legal community. The organization represents the next generation of lawyers committed to reproductive justice, working alongside their peers in a supportive environment that values social justice work. Through their involvement with If/When/How, DePaul law students in Chicago, IL develop both professional competence and a deep understanding of their role in advancing rights and dignity for all people.
Rooted in the Chicago, Illinois legal education community, the Chicago-Kent Society of Women in Law stands as a student-led organization dedicated to supporting and empowering women pursuing legal careers. Located at the Illinois Institute of Technology's Chicago-Kent College of Law, this organization has become an integral part of student life, fostering a sense of belonging and shared purpose among its members. The society recognizes that women in law benefit from intentional community building, mentorship, and spaces where they can openly discuss their professional journeys and aspirations.
The organization's mission centers on creating meaningful connections among female law students while building bridges to experienced women practitioners throughout the Chicago legal market. Members find value in the supportive community the society cultivates, where shared experiences and challenges are acknowledged and addressed collaboratively. This peer-focused approach distinguishes the organization from purely professional networking groups, emphasizing genuine relationships and mutual support.
Operating within Chicago-Kent's broader ecosystem of student organizations and academic journals, the Society of Women in Law benefits from a rich institutional culture that values student engagement and professional development. The society's presence on campus reflects Chicago-Kent's commitment to creating an inclusive environment where all students can thrive. As the institution embraces new platforms and technologies through the 312 Community Hubs initiative launching in Fall 2025, the organization continues to adapt while maintaining its core mission of supporting women in law.
For women law students in Chicago seeking community, mentorship, and professional growth, the Chicago-Kent Society of Women in Law offers authentic connections and practical support grounded in shared values and collective experience within the legal profession.
The Women's Law Society is a vibrant student organization at Loyola University Chicago, rooted in the institution's distinctive Jesuit Catholic mission of developing men and women for and with others. Located in Chicago, IL, this organization reflects Loyola's commitment to social justice, community engagement, and educational excellence. The society brings together law students who share a passion for advancing women's representation and leadership within the legal profession while contributing meaningfully to the Chicago community.
At its core, the Women's Law Society embodies Loyola's values of cura personalis—care for the whole person—and a commitment to addressing systemic inequities. Members are encouraged to combine their legal education with active community service, mirroring the university's culture of social responsibility. Loyola students logged over 100,000 volunteer hours in Chicago in the most recent year, demonstrating the institution's deep commitment to local engagement and positive change.
The organization serves as a supportive community for women law students navigating their academic and professional journeys. Through mentorship, peer support, and collaborative initiatives, the Women's Law Society creates spaces where members can develop their voices, share experiences, and build lasting professional relationships. This sense of community is particularly important in law school, where students benefit from belonging to a group that prioritizes both personal development and collective advocacy.
By participating in the Women's Law Society at Loyola Chicago, students gain more than legal knowledge—they become part of a tradition of service and leadership. The organization connects members with opportunities to apply their skills to meaningful causes, whether through volunteer work, community partnerships, or advocacy initiatives. Ultimately, the Women's Law Society prepares its members not just to practice law, but to use their legal education as a tool for creating a more just and equitable world.
The Latine Law Students Association (LLSA) represents a vital community within Loyola University Chicago School of Law, serving as the central hub for Latinx students pursuing legal careers in Chicago, Illinois. This student-led organization exists to create an academic and social support network where members can thrive, connect, and grow together throughout their law school journey. LLSA automatically includes all Latinx students at the law school while extending open membership to any student in good standing who wishes to participate.
At its core, LLSA is committed to amplifying the voices and experiences of Latinx communities within legal education and practice. The organization brings speakers who discuss pressing legal issues affecting Latinx populations domestically and internationally, ensuring members remain informed about critical developments in their communities. By keeping members updated on scholarships, community events, and employment pathways, LLSA empowers students to navigate their legal careers with purpose and cultural awareness.
Beyond academic support, LLSA serves as a bridge between law students and the broader Latinx community. Members participate in meaningful service initiatives and community engagement activities that extend their impact beyond the classroom. The organization deliberately fosters an inclusive culture where both Latinx and non-Latinx students build relationships and understanding. Led by dedicated student leaders and supported by faculty advisor Professor Sarah Diaz, LLSA demonstrates that law school success is strengthened through community, mentorship, and shared commitment to serving underrepresented populations. LLSA events create spaces where friendships form, professional networks develop, and collective commitment to justice takes root.
Chicago-Kent's Black Law Students Association represents a cornerstone student organization at the Illinois Institute of Technology's College of Law, located in Chicago, IL. This student-led group is dedicated to creating an inclusive, supportive community for Black law students pursuing their legal education and professional aspirations in one of America's most prominent legal markets.
Founded on principles of solidarity, mentorship, and mutual advancement, the association brings together students who share a commitment to excellence and community service. Members engage in meaningful conversations about diversity in the legal profession, participate in professional development activities, and build lasting relationships that extend beyond their time at Chicago-Kent.
As part of Chicago-Kent's broader student organization landscape, which includes prestigious law journals and academic publications, the Black Law Students Association contributes to the institution's culture of intellectual rigor and social responsibility. The organization recognizes the unique experiences and perspectives that Black law students bring to legal education and the profession.
Operating within Chicago's dynamic legal environment, the association connects students with mentors, career opportunities, and community partnerships that advance their personal and professional growth. Through collaborative programming and active engagement with Chicago-Kent's student community, members develop the skills, networks, and confidence necessary to make meaningful contributions to the legal field and their communities. The organization's transition to the new 312 Community Hubs platform reflects its commitment to evolving with student needs while maintaining its foundational mission of supporting Black law students' success.
The Black Law Students Association at Loyola University Chicago represents a vital community within the School of Law, dedicated to creating pathways for African-American legal professionals and advancing social justice. This student-led organization serves the Chicago, IL area with a mission rooted in national purpose: increasing African-American representation in the judiciary and legal profession while championing issues of critical importance to African-American communities.
At its core, BLSA embodies the legacy of civil rights advocacy, particularly honoring the pioneering work of Donald L. Hollowell, a 1951 Loyola alumnus who became one of the Civil Rights Movement's most influential attorneys. This historical connection shapes the organization's commitment to excellence and social responsibility. BLSA members work collaboratively to build a supportive community where African-American law students thrive academically and professionally.
The organization fosters meaningful relationships between current students and African-American legal professionals through structured mentorship and networking activities. BLSA recognizes that success in law requires both academic achievement and professional connections, and the organization deliberately creates spaces where these connections flourish. Members benefit from exposure to diverse legal careers and practice areas through guest speakers, panel discussions, and professional events.
Under the guidance of Faculty Advisor Neil Williams, BLSA cultivates a culture of mutual support and shared purpose. The organization's programming—from the Race and the Law Symposium to the annual distinguished service award ceremony—reflects a commitment to intellectual rigor, professional development, and community impact. BLSA members attending the Welcome Picnic and alumni brunch represent a connected network spanning generations, united by their dedication to advancing African-American excellence in law and service to their communities.