Smithsonian American Women's History Museum

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.

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.

Black and white portrait of Mary Cassatt sitting in a chair wearing fur and a feathered hat.

Mary Cassatt Gave Women a Place in the Impressionist Movement

Mary Cassatt reshaped the art world by elevating everyday domestic moments into beautiful Impressionist works of art. Discover how she championed the visibility of women as both subject and artist and helped bring Impressionism to American museums.

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.

Black and white portrait of Susan La Flesche Picotte on a photo card from the shoulders up.

How Susan and Rosalie La Flesche Made Omaha History

Better known as becoming the first Native American woman to receive a medical degree, Susan La Flesche, along with her sister Rosalie, made significant contributions to the anthropological study and preservation of Omaha tribal history.

Portrait of Ida B. Wells from the waist up in 3/4th profile.

New Coin Celebrates the Living Legacy of Ida B. Wells

Hear from author Michelle Duster about her great-grandmother Ida B. Wells’ lifelong fight for equality. Writer and activist Ida B. Wells was selected to appear on a new quarter as part of the 2025 American Women Quarters Program with the U.S. Mint.

Candid photo of seven women holding papers standing in a line on stage.

How Activism and International Women’s Year Fueled U.S. Efforts for Equality

When the UN declared 1975 to be International Women’s Year, President Ford signed an executive order responding to the growing momentum in the movement for gender equality. He established the Commission on the Observance of International Women’s Year, which has had a lasting impact over the last fifty years.

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.

Black and white portrait of Dat So La Lee seated in a chair and surrounded by six decorative baskets on the floor by her feet.

Basket Maker Dat So La Lee’s Artistry Was a Means of Survival

Meet Dat So La Lee, a Washoe basket weaver whose signature degikup style preserved her cultural heritage and offered a means of survival as she adapted to the American economy.

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