Raven Stubbs Becomes Women and Children First Co-Owner

The bookstore veteran joins Sarah Hollenbeck as a co-owner following Lynn Moody's retirement in September 2026.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Interior of a historic bookstore with tall wooden shelves and a library ladder, bathed in warm, soft morning sunlight. — Raven Stubbs has joined Sarah Hollenbeck as co-owner of the historic Women and Children First bookstore in Chicago following Lynn Moody's retirement. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Longtime staffer Raven Stubbs has stepped into a co-ownership role at Chicago's historic Women and Children First bookstore, joining Sarah Hollenbeck. This leadership transition follows the retirement of former co-owner Lynn Moody, which took effect in September 2026.

Why it matters

The change in ownership marks a new chapter for the 47-year-old institution, which plans to expand its programming and relaunch the Feminist Bookstore Network. The transition reflects the store's ongoing commitment to its founding mission after nearly five decades of operation.

Founded in 1979, the bookstore has served the community for 47 years at 5233 N. Clark St. It operates from noon to 6 p.m. on Mondays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. the rest of the week.

The players

Raven Stubbs

The new co-owner of Women and Children First has served on the bookstore staff since 2020.

Sarah Hollenbeck

She has served as a leader at Women and Children First since 2014.

Lynn Moody

The former co-owner retired from her position at the bookstore in September 2026.

Women and Children First

This Chicago-based feminist bookstore was inducted into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame in 2020.

The details

Following a months-long leadership transition, the bookstore management team formalized internal human resources procedures and drafted a new employee manual. Raven Stubbs, who has worked at the store since 2020, will now lead alongside Sarah Hollenbeck, who has been involved in store operations since 2014.

Women and Children First was founded in November 1979.
Sarah Hollenbeck and Lynn Moody bought the store in 2014.
Raven Stubbs joined the store staff in 2020.
The store was inducted into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame in 2020.
Lynn Moody retired as co-owner in September 2026.

Market Landscape

The bookstore's plan to relaunch the Feminist Bookstore Network extends its historical commitment to independent feminist literature. This leadership shift positions the organization to reclaim a central role in the broader independent bookselling sector.

Customers can continue to visit the store at its long-standing Andersonville location during regular operating hours. The new ownership structure aims to increase program offerings for local readers and community members.

The takeaway

The successful transition of this independent bookstore highlights the importance of robust internal human resources and long-term leadership planning. Small businesses can secure their future by codifying operational knowledge and involving long-term staff in management succession.