| Summary: | Museum chief executive Peggy Montes was born on October 17, 1936 in Chicago, Illinois. She graduated from DuSable High School in 1954, and began her career as a teacher in the Illinois public school system. In 1978, Montes became involved with the DuSable Museum of African American History, serving as chairperson of the Board of Trustees for the Museum from 1989 to 1993, and heading the construction of the Harold Washington wing. She was appointed by Mayor Harold Washington as executive director of the Chicago Commission on Women. On August 20, 1993, Montes and a group of business, civic, cultural and educational leaders founded the Bronzeville Children's Museum in Evergreen Park, Illinois, the first and only African American children's museum in the country. Montes received the Illinois Federation of Business and Professional Women, Inc. 1987 Woman of Achievement Award and Dollars & Sense Magazine's 1993 America's Best & Brightest Business and Professional Award.
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