Sculptor Marshall Fredericks, known as one of the most creative sculptors of the twentieth century, was born in Rock Island in 1908. He attended college at the Cleveland School of Art and traveled extensively in Europe after graduating. He joined the armed forces in 1942 during World War II.

After the war, Fredericks won a competition to create the Levi L. Barbour Memorial Fountain in Detroit. The sculpture replicates a gazelle wheeling, an act the animal performs when running in one direction and rapidly turning in a different direction. The monument was a success for Fredericks and became the first of many public displays he would create.

Fredericks was elected to the National Academy of Design as an Associate member in 1957, becoming a full-time member in 1961. Throughout his career, he was the recipient of many awards for his artistic talent as well as his humanitarian achievements.

Fredericks most well-known works include the Cleveland War Memorial: Fountain of Eternal Life, The Spirit of Detroit, and The Expanding Universe Fountain in Washington D.C.

Learn more:
Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum

Founded in 1938 as Producers Creamery of Carlinville, Prairie Farms Dairy has grown into a leader in the dairy market, delivering products to the Midwest and Mid-South. The company relies on over 700 farms that deliver fresh dairy products to local manufacturing facilities where milk, yogurt, ice cream and other dairy products are produced.

In honor of the spring and Easter seasons, Prairie Farms has teamed with PEEPS and unveiled three new milk flavors: Marshmallow, Chocolate Marshmallow and Easter Egg Nog. Jimmy Kimmel recently tried the new flavors on his late-night talk show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Learn more:
History of Prairie Farms
Seasonal Prairie Farms flavors

Alicia Tate-Nadeau became the Illinois National Guard’s first female general recently when she earned her first star at a ceremony in Springfield.

Born near Oklahoma City, Tate-Nadeau has been a member of the National Guard for 30 years and has served in Iraq and Israel. She joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps while attending Southwestern Oklahoma State University – a move that she credits with starting her career in the military.

Whether it be responding to floods, tornadoes or other emergencies, the 13,000-plus members of the Illinois National Guard are always on call to help communities in need.

Learn more:
Illinois National Guard names its first female general (Chicago Tribune)
Woman promoted to general first in Illinois National Guard history (Fox Chicago)
Illinois National Guard

The Lakeside Technology Center, a 1.1 million square-foot data center located on Chicago’s Near South Side, is the world’s largest single-structured data center. The facility houses more than 70 tenants and is considered the “nerve center for Chicago’s commodity markets.”

The building includes three electric power feeds and is the second-largest electricity user for Commonwealth Edison, behind only O’Hare International Airport.

Originally constructed in 1912 to house the RR Donnelly Printing Company, the building was purchased by Digital Realty and converted into a data center in 2005. In addition to its well-known status as a data center, the building is also known for its cathedral ceilings and other medieval architecture.

Learn more:
Data Center Knowledge – Lakeside Technology Center
GlobalDots

Honoring the achievements and essential roles played by women in American society was the impetus behind the first official celebration of women’s history in 1982. Originally lasting just a week, the National Women’s History Project lobbied Congress to make the event month-long, succeeding in 1987 when the first “Women’s History Month” was celebrated.

International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8, similarly highlights the achievements and accomplishments of women across the globe. This year’s theme is “Make It Happen,” calling for greater gender equality to harness the untapped potential of women.

Events to mark women’s history are taking place across the state, including a celebration at Rockford University honoring local women who have had a lasting impact on the community, “Herstory Weekend” in Belleville and even special women’s history deals at restaurants in Chicagoland. 

Learn more:
Women’s History Month
International Women’s Day