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Smithsonian American Women's History Museum

Postcard showing a woman sitting on the observing chair in front of a large refracting telescope. A man stands to her right leaning forward on a ladder.

Maria Mitchell: America’s First Woman Astronomer and Mentor to Women in Science

Maria Mitchell, the first widely recognized American woman scientist, gained international acclaim after discovering a comet in 1847. As Vassar College’s first astronomy professor, she advanced opportunities for women in science and mentored a generation of students using one of the country’s finest observatories.

Amelia Earhart seated, wearing a leather jacket and scarf, gazing slightly to the side.

Amelia Earhart’s Trailblazing Life in Aviation

Pioneering pilot Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. Learn how she used aviation to champion women's independence and made history in her red Lockheed Vega 5B.

General battle scene with many people. Molly Pitcher in center of canvas manning cannon with bare-chested man igniting cannon. Two dead men featured in the foreground. Flag bearer behind Molly Pitcher.

Who Was Molly Pitcher? Exploring the Revolutionary War Icon

Uncover the real story behind Molly Pitcher, the Revolutionary War legend who symbolizes women’s courage, resilience, and battlefield bravery.

Two visitors stand in front of a colorful abstract painting and wall text in a museum gallery.

Pictures of Belonging Reveals Hidden Stories of Japanese American Artists

Pictures of Belonging at the Smithsonian American Art Museum spotlights Miki Hayakawa, Hisako Hibi, and Miné Okubo, three Japanese American women artists whose overlooked stories bring powerful voices to the forefront of American modern art.

Althea Gibson poses on a stool with two tennis rackets. Both the rackets have dark colors printed with "Althea Gibson" in white letters.

Rising Above Bias to Become the First African American Grand Slam Champion

Althea Gibson shattered barriers in tennis and beyond by becoming the first Black athlete to win major titles and blaze a path in professional golf and public service.

View from a plane’s window showing the wing as the plane flies over the ocean and shoreline.

On the Road to Independence: Field Notes From 'We Do Declare'

Go behind the scenes with curator Rachel Seidman as she interviews women for "We Do Declare: Women's Voices on Independence," our oral history and education project exploring how women have sought to increase their economic independence over the last 50 years

Vera Rubin in front of a green wooded area.

A Life of Curiosity: Remembering Vera Rubin Through Her Granddaughter’s Eyes

A personal tribute to astronomer Vera Rubin, told through stories and memories from her granddaughter, Ramona Rubin.

Vera Rubin stands against a backdrop of a star-filled galaxy with her hands loosely clasped in front of her.

New Quarter Honors Vera Rubin, Astronomer Who Revealed the Universe’s Hidden Mass

Astronomer Vera Rubin, now honored on a U.S. quarter, transformed our understanding of the universe by uncovering powerful evidence of dark matter. Her groundbreaking work revealed that most of the universe’s mass is invisible, and she paved the way for greater inclusion in science along the way.

Oil painting portrait of Harriet Beecher Stowe seated with her hands folded in her lap.

How Harriet Beecher Stowe Turned Public Opinion Against Slavery

Learn how Harriet Beecher Stowe’s book Uncle Tom’s Cabin sparked national debate and changed how many Americans understood slavery.

Three images of Ella Fitzgerald, side by side. Her eyes are closed as she sings into the microphone she is holding in front of her.

An Inside Look at Smithsonian's 'Collected' Podcast Season Two: The Musical Genius of Black Women

In this chat between "Collected" podcast curators, learn more about season two, "The Musical Genius of Black Women," which dives into notable Black women who made their mark on music.

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