Gray Panthers of Chicago Collections
An inventory of the collection at the University of Illinois at Chicago

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Collection Summary
Creator: Grey Panthers of Chicago
Title: Gray Panthers of Chicago Collections
Dates: 1973-1993
Abstract: The Gray Panthers is an intergenerational advocacy group of citizens who are concerned with and active in improving the social conditions for everyone. This collection contains documents, which reflect the history, activity, leadership, and mission of the Gray Panthers and its relationship with outside service agencies, government bodies and the public.
Quantity: 16 linear feet
Identification: GrayPanthers

Administrative History
The Gray Panthers is an intergenerational advocacy group of citizens who are concerned with and active in improving the social conditions for everyone. They were founded in 1970 by a group of six women who were forced into early retirement. One of the most active cofounders of the organization, Margaret E. Kuhn, participated in picket lines and protests up until just days before her death in April of 1995. Some of the group's main objectives include the equal treatment of all people regardless of age, influencing social policies, and providing structure for grassroots populations to facilitate social change at a community level. The group emphasizes the problems of the elderly because social injustices affect them particularly hard. During the 1970s and 1980s some of the main issues that the group focused on were affordable housing for senior citizens and universal health care.
Initially called the Consolation of Older Adults, the group adopted the name Gray Panthers in 1972. They went on to secure non-profit status in 1974 and were instrumental in the establishment of several other non-profit organizations including the National Caucus of the Black Aged and the National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform. They also worked closely with other groups including the Coalition for a National Health Service, Progressive Alliance, National Senior Citizens Law Center, and the Older Women's League. The Gray Panthers implemented their goals with varied techniques such as massive education programs, petition drives, consciousness-raising
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