Bringing Untold Stories to Light
By Lucy Roller, HRI David F. Prindable Intern
The accomplishments of women all too often go unnoticed, unappreciated, and unsung— here’s an event that’s trying to change that.
On March 4th, I had the honor of attending the Humanities Research Institute’s annual International Women’s Day event cohosted with the Center for the Study of Global Gender Equity: “12 Women who Changed the World–Untold Stories.” Twelve speakers from our university, as well as the greater Champaign-Urbana community, were given the opportunity to share the story of a woman they believe deserves more recognition. Their connections to these women ranged from historical to personal, honoring bosses, colleagues, and family members.
Several of the presenters chose to honor their mothers. As Dr. Kevin Tan, associate dean of the School of Social Work, shared in his speech about his mother, “Some of the world-changing women never appear in history books, they appear in our homes.”
One of the stories that stuck with me the most was shared by Gabi DalSanto, undergraduate student and current Illinois student body president, who spoke about her mother. Gabi highlighted the incredible strength she showed in raising her children, making countless sacrifices for her two daughters. Gabi’s sister was born with a rare genetic condition—fewer than 1,000 people in the world have it. Because of this, Gabi’s mother has dedicated herself to research on, and assisting people with, this condition, serving on the board of the NR2F1 Foundation, an organization with the same mission. She originally wanted to become a lawyer, but decided instead to pursue other opportunities, including having a family. Gabi wants to become a lawyer herself, to give back to her mother by fulfilling that dream for her. At the end of her speech, Gabi encouraged the audience to reach out or think about their mothers, and thank them for all of their silent sacrifices.
Another striking story was the historical portrait of Nance Legins-Costley shared by Angela S. Williams, associate director of the Center for South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. Nance was born in Illinois in 1813, where slavery was technically illegal, but persisted through various legal loopholes. Her parents were indentured, which meant that under the law, she could be held until she was 28. Eventually, she learned that the law proclaimed that she was free.
The person who claimed to own her attempted to sell her, but she declared her own freedom, stating powerfully, “I won’t be sold.” This began a long series of legal battles, where she would eventually be represented by a young Abraham Lincoln. Legins-Costley’s case ended up in the Supreme Court, where she won, closing many legal loopholes for slavery in the United States. She eventually became a mother of eight, and never stopped helping others. She died in Peoria in 1893, but unfortunately, her grave was destroyed, covered in asphalt. Williams spoke powerfully of this event, proclaiming, “Her story reminds us that courage is not always loud… Sometimes it’s a legacy that survives even when the world tries to pave over it.”
This event was a powerful reminder of the countless acts of bravery, kindness, and resilience that women perform every day, and how these accomplishments often go unnoticed. As Gabi DelSanto urged her audience, I now urge you—think about the women in your life. Thank them for all they have done for you, honor their achievements. Learn about the women of the past who allowed you to be where you are today, and share their stories.
Though Women’s History Month has passed, the work of uplifting women and their stories should not be limited to just one day, or one month, but must be a continual effort, making sure that their stories will not remain untold.
View a video recording of the 2026 International Women's Day event.