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May 2019 magazine cover
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“Women

The Smithsonian has launched the American Women’s History Initiative, a comprehensive undertaking to document, research, collect, display, and share the rich and compelling story of women in the United States. Through this initiative, the Smithsonian seeks to amplify women’s voices, reach diverse and international audiences, and empower generations. In celebration of the AWHI, Smithsonian.com has collected representative examples of its coverage of diverse women throughout American history.

Votes for Women

The Complex History of How Women Got the Vote

An immersive story about the bold and diverse women who helped secure the right to vote is on view at the National Portrait Gallery
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At the Smithsonian

A New Portrait of Harriet Tubman
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Queen Liliʻuokalani's Created Some of Hawaii's Most Popular Music
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Thank This World War II-Era Film Star for Your Wi-Fi
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A Woman's Work Is Never Done, Or Paid For
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The Crisis of Missing Indigenous Women
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The Bold Accomplishments of Suffragists of Color
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Women in STEM

Meet Marion Donovan, the Mother Who Invented a Precursor to the Disposable Diaper

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The First Group of Female Cosmonauts Were Trained to Conquer the Final Frontier

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How Margaret Dayhoff Brought Modern Computing to Biology

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Rita Rapp Fed America’s Space Travelers

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Margaret Hamilton Led the NASA Software Team That Landed Astronauts on the Moon

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Women's Contributions to Early Genetics Studies Were Relegated to the Footnotes

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The Woman Whose Invention Helped Win a War — and Still Baffles Weathermen

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The Archaeologist Who Helped Mexico Find Glory in Its Indigenous Past

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They Shaped Culture

Pioneering Artist Carolee Schneemann Celebrated Female Sexuality
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The Queen of Soul's Documentary Finally Hits Theaters
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Why the TV Show "Julia" Was a Milestone for Diversity
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Future of Women's History

Meet Native Fashion Designer Norma Baker-Flying Horse, Creator of Red Berry Woman

For Tiffany Chung, Finding Vietnam’s Forgotten Stories Began as a Personal Quest

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Karen Uhlenbeck Is the First Woman to Win Math’s Top Prize

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Breakthrough Korean Feminist Artist Yun Suknam in Her First U.S. Museum Exhibition

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The Time's Up Initiative Built Upon the Work Done by These Labor Activists

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Tags

#BecauseOfHerStory

Introducing the Smithsonian American Women's History Initiative

Sidedoor: A Smithsonian Podcast

Meet Roxie Laybourne, the Feather Detective Who Changed Aviation

A new Sidedoor episode tells the story of Roxy Laybourne, a Smithsonian scientist who pioneered the field of forensic ornithology
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Stories From the Collections

These Objects Begin to Tell the Story of Women's History in America

Thirteen artifacts from the National Museum of American History chronicle profound changes in the life of the nation

Businesswoman Madam C. J. Walker Started a Hair Care Empire

A tin of hair conditioner in the Smithsonian collections reveals a story of the entrepreneurial and philanthropic success of a former washerwoman
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Works of Pioneering Photographer Constance Stuart Larrabee to Be Digitized

The work of Constance Stuart Larrabee, a pioneering photographer, will soon be digitized
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For Turn-of-the-Century African-Americans, the Camera Was a Tool for Empowerment

A new installment in the Smithsonian's “Double Exposure” photo book series depicts black Americans championing their lives through photography
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Civil Rights Icon Renée Richards' Wooden Tennis Racket

After winning the New York State men's title in 1964, Richard Raskind became Renée Richards and a civil rights icon
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New Ella Fitzgerald Exhibit Illuminates The Jazz Queen's Early Career

The preeminent vocalist is remembered on the centennial of her birth
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A Rare, 19th-Century Silhouette of a Same-Sex Couple Living Together

A new show, featuring the paper cutouts, reveals unheralded early Americans, as well as contemporary artists working with this old art form
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The Youngest of the Little Rock Nine Speaks About Holding on to History

Carlotta Walls LeNier, whose school dress is in the Smithsonian, says much was accomplished and now we need to hold onto it
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Mementos Tell The Story of The Ace Aviatrix Who Inspired Amelia Earhart

With flint and derring-do, the early 20th century pilot Ruth Law ruled American skies
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The Unknown Designer of the First Home Pregnancy Test Is Finally Getting Her Due

Margaret Crane says it was a simple idea, but it met with enormous push back
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Dian Fossey’s Gorilla Skulls Are a Symbol of Her Fight

At a new Smithsonian exhibition, the skulls of “Limbo” and “Green Lady” have a story to tell
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The First Jogbra Was Made by Sewing Together Two Men’s Athletic Supporters

An archive collected from the sports company reveals that the bra gave a boost to women's athletics
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Luisa Moreno Was Expelled From the U.S. for Her Labor Activism

The little-known story of an early champion of workers’ rights receives new recognition
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Videos

The Long Conversation 2018: Naomi Wadler Interviews Alfre Woodard

Why You Should Know This Prolific Princess of Paleontology

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

For use in the classroom or your community, a list of lesson plans and other teaching materials on women's history in America