Esther Saperstein

Esther Saperstein (1901-1988), the daughter of immigrants, began her public service vocation as a PTA president. She made a run at becoming the city’s first female alderman in 1955 but lost. However, she did gain the attention of the Chicago Democratic organization which slated her to run for state representative from Rogers Park. Ms. Saperstein won the state representative seat in 1956 and in four subsequent elections. She then served two terms as a state senator. In that office, Senator Saperstein became chairwoman of the Illinois Status of Women Commission and was a sponsor of the Equal Rights Amendment. Two decades after her first campaign, Senator Saperstein made a second attempt to become the 49th Ward Alderman. She was victorious and after serving one term, Alderman Saperstein retired from public service.

Why this stop? The Granville stop is in the Legislative and State Senate Districts which Ms. Saperstein represented.