THE VFA PIONEER HISTORIES PROJECT

Agnes Gioconda

“I probably would not have risen to the level that I did in the business world if it hadn’t been for the skills that I learned through working with Chicago NOW.”

Human Resource expert. President, Chicago Chapter of the National Organization for Women. Retired as Chief Talent Officer at Fleishman-Hillard. YWCA of Metropolitan St. Louis. League of Women’s Voters of Moore County, NC.

Interviewed by Kathy Rand, VFA Executive VP, September 2021

Photo 1. Members of Chicago NOW demonstrate in front of Sears, Roebuck’s headquarters on Women’s Equality Day. Left to right, Kathy Rand, Nancy Burton, Kem Kemmerer and Sharon Romjue and Agnes behind the “NOW for Jobs and Justice” sign wearing sunglasses, 1974. Photograph by Howard D. Simmons. Photo 2. Jay Emery (left) and Joan Matula, co-presidents of the League of Women Voters Moore County, Marcey Katzman, Agnes Gioconda and Peggy Crawford, 2021. Photo 3. Sears demonstration, Chicago, Anne Ladky and Agnes protesting “Mr. Lou Hall” Sears Credit Manager, 1974 (Photo by Dori Jacobson). Photo 4. Chicago Irish Feminists for the Equal Rights Amendment,  Agnes and  Betty Friedan, Chicago, IL (Photo by Dori Jacobson). Photo 5. Oak Park, Illinois ERA NOW, Mary-Ann Lupa and Agnes holding up the banner, 1975 (Photo by Dori Jacobson).