Marilyn Miglin

Marilyn Miglin (1938-2022) was born in Czechoslovakia and immigrated with her family to the US. As a young woman she worked as a model as well as a dancer at the Chez Paree, Chicago’s most glamorous nightclub. Her focus soon shifted to business. At the age of 25 she opened a small shop on Chicago’s tony Oak Street where she sold cosmetics and fragrances. Initially her product line consisted of items made by various cosmetic companies. It wasn’t long, though, before Miglin began producing her own products which led to the development of her namesake cosmetic and fragrance company. Miglin's success resulted in her becoming one of the top-500 women business owners in the US.

Following her motto, “Giving is receiving,” Miglin is well-known for her philanthropy. Locally she served on the board of the Chicago Convention and the State of Illinois Board of Economic Development. She also has been on Board of Directors of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. She is passionate about helping burn victims and those with facial disfigurements and was a founding member of the University of Illinois’ advisory board for the Craniofacial Center.

Why this stop? The Addison Blue Line stop is a 19 minute walk from Marilyn Miglin’s alma mater, Carl Schurz High School.

Women’s L Project Connection— Miglin studied ballet with Edna McRae.