Lake View East in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Pearl M. Hart
| | Chicago Tribute | |
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, December 7, 2021
1. Pearl M. Hart Marker
Pearl M. Hart
Attorney
1890-1975
Pearl M. Hart practiced law in Chicago for 61 years as an advocate for the oppressed, most notably children, women, immigrants and homosexuals.
Hart grew up in the bustling Russian Jewish neighborhoods on Chicago's Near West Side. In 1914, she graduated from John Marshall Law School, and became one of the first female attorneys in Chicago to specialize in criminal law.
Hart was recognized as an expert on the juvenile justice system. She drafted legislation, served on reform committees, and spoke before civic groups, all in an effort to protect Chicago's most vulnerable citizens.
In the 1950s, Hart focused on defending immigrants in deportation proceedings. In U.S. v. Witkovish, which she took to the United States Supreme Court, the high court agreed with her contention that the Attorney General's power to question aliens subject to deportation was limited by constitutional safeguards. Called the "Guardian Angel of Chicago's Gay Community" for her diligent fight against police harassment, Hart was inducted posthumously into Chicago's Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame in 1992.
She lived at 2821 North Pine Grove Avenue for 25 years.
Erected 2002 by Chicago Tribune Foundation,
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Civil Rights • Women. In addition, it is included in the Chicago Tribute series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 22, 1975.
Location. 41° 56.014′ N, 87° 38.475′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Lake View East. It is on North Pine Grove Avenue south of West Surf Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2821 N Pine Grove Ave, Chicago IL 60657, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Brewster Apartments (within shouting distance of this marker); Elks Memorial Headquarters Building (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Boulevard System (about 700 feet away); Lincoln Park (about 700 feet away); Francis J. Dewes House (approx. 0.2 miles away); August Dewes House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lαszlσ Moholy-Nagy (approx. Ό mile away); a different marker also named Lincoln Park (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.
Also see . . .
1. Pearl M. Hart (Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame).
"She was the first women lawyer to be appointed as public defender(Submitted on December 15, 2021.)in the Morals Court, and maintained an acquittal record of over 90%. A consistent feminist, she and her two associates made their libraries, advice and quiet study room available to women law students.Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, December 7, 20212. Pearl M. Hart Marker
All her life, Pearl Hart defended gay rights, appearing on behalf of many victims of entrapment and harassment, often without fee or for minimal fee. She worked for anti-entrapment laws and the right to privacy. She was involved in the founding and work of the present Mattachine organization as well as its predecessor."
2. Pearl M. Hart (Wikipedia).
On her defense of immigrants: 'In the 1950s, Hart focused on defending immigrants in deportation proceedings. In U.S. v. Witkovish, which she took to the United States Supreme Court, the high court agreed with her contention that the Attorney General's power to question aliens subject to deportation was limited by constitutional safeguards. She stated, "...I defend the foreign born against the present deportation hysteria because of a consciousness that it was the foreign born and their children who built this nation of ours and who have been its most loyal partisans".'(Submitted on December 15, 2021.)
Additional keywords.
Photographed by Tess Hart Weiner
3. Marker inset: Pearl M. Hart
The heart of Americanism is independent thought.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 15, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,752 times since then and 60 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week March 16, 2025. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 15, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
