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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.

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.

Eleanor Roosevelt standing in front of four microphones labeled as CBS and NBC

Eleanor Roosevelt Honored on New U.S. Quarter

Learn about the many ways diplomat, activist, and 2023 American Women Quarters honoree Eleanor Roosevelt made American history through this selected collection of resources from across the Smithsonian, National Archives, and more.

Painted portrait of Juliette Gordon Low seated with her hands resting in her lap.

New Quarter Honors Juliette Gordon Low, Founder of Girl Scouts

The newest quarter in the American Women Quarters Program honors the contributions of Juliette Gordon Low, founder of Girl Scouts of the USA. Learn about her life and what inspired her to create the organization.

A black and white photo of Katherine Johnson sitting at a desk in front of a typewriter and open notebook.

New Partnership Illuminates Hidden Record of NASA’s Human Computers

By partnering with Margot Lee Shetterly and the Human Computer Project, the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum is shining a light on the women whose contributions at NASA have been hidden in data and records.

Screenshot of the metadata (left) for a botanical specimen (right). The metadata shows Suzanne Ripley as the Collector.

The Challenge of Metadata in Uncovering Women’s History

Metadata is a vital tool for discovering and preserving history. Learn about efforts across the Smithsonian to highlight women’s contributions in American history with accurate metadata in museum collections.

Two hands holding a card with handwritten information. A stack of other handwritten papers is visible on the table below.

Discoverability Lab Offers New Look at Historical Data and Machine Learning

Explore early experiments to increase the discoverability of women's history at the Smithsonian.

Four women pose for a group photo.

What Drives Their Support? Our Donors Share the Stories

Hear what giving to the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum means to our donors. From Charter Members to Making History Network volunteers, the passionate members of our community help us fulfil our mission.

Two young people surrounded by greenery. One person has their hand outstretched towards a leafy bush in front of them.

Center for Community and Environment Educates and Inspires Youth for Innovative Change

The Center for Community and Environment, which receives funding administered by the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum, gives students and staff an opportunity to identify and explore issues of environmental inequity impacting their communities.

Selfie of Joy Dean in her flight helmet. Clouds are reflected in the visor.

These Groundbreaking Pilots Made History 30 Years Ago as the First American Women to Fly Combat Missions

Launching from the deck of the USS Eisenhower, these women showed that being a good aviator has nothing to do with gender

Candid black and white photo of people walking down the street. Two women face the camera in the foreground under an awning with the words “The First Women’s Bank” on it.

How the Equal Credit Opportunity Act Transformed Women's Economic Power

Learn about Emily Card, Jeanne Hubbard, Stephanie Lipscomb, and Rosemary Reed—four women whose stories about financial independence demonstrate the importance of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974 and the phenomenon of women’s banks.

An illustration of a new species of phyla with a cone shaped bottom and thin tendrils coming out of the top.

Science Illustration: A Creative Door for Early Women in Science

Learn about Violet Dandridge, Aime Motter Awl, Carolyn Bartlett Gast, and Marilyn Schotte: four women from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Department of Invertebrate Zoology who broke through the gendered barriers of science and made significant contributions to scientific discovery through art.

A black-and-white photograph of seven women standing on a flight of stairs. Mae Reeves stands to the farthest right on the lowest step and wears a white hat and floral patterned handbag.

Five Women to Know for American Business Women's Day

Learn about Mae Reeves, Anna Bissell, Estée Lauder, Maggie Walker, and Sara Sunshine—five women from Smithsonian collections who ran businesses and made history.

A group of thirteen people stand together in front of green shrubs and the Smithsonian Castle.

Because of Her Story Interns Uplifted Women’s History Across Smithsonian

See what projects the Because of Her Story interns worked on this summer to amplify and uplift American women’s history across the Smithsonian.

Elizabeth Babcock from the waist up against a white background. She is leaning against a wall with her arms crossed in front of herself.

Plans, Partnerships and Powerful Women: An Interview with Director Elizabeth Babcock

In this interview, Elizabeth Babcock discusses her goals for her first year as founding director of the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum, plans for building successful partnerships, and the women who have inspired her and surprised her

Marian Pettibone with short grey hair and glasses sits at a lab bench in front of a microscope. There are files and specimen bottle on shelves behind her.

Dr. Marian Pettibone Discovered and Described New Forms of Oceanic Life

The first female curator in the National Museum of Natural History Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Dr. Pettibone described 172 species and fought for the recognition of women in science.

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