NWHM in the News

The contribution will fund new initiatives aimed at amplifying women’s contributions throughout history.

This week, the National Women’s History Museum announced that the Oscar-winning actress made a seven-figure donation to support its cause.

Actor Meryl Streep just made a seven-figure donation to the nomadic, digital-first National Women’s History Museum (NWHM), based in Washington, D.C.

The actress’ seven-figure gift to the National Women’s History Museum comes as the Trump administration targets DEI and attempts to sanitize American history.

"The award winner announced the donation to the National Women’s History Museum on Tuesday, with the goal of ensuring the continued recognition and teaching of women’s contributions."

“History is shaped not only by those who make it, but by those who ensure it is remembered,” the actress said.

"The National Women’s History Museum announced today that actress Meryl Streep has made a 'significant seven-figure gift' to the institution."

Per the National Women's History Museum, the late former Utah Senator Orrin Hatch and former Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski co-sponsored the first Joint Congressional Resolution, declaring the week of March 8, 1981, National Women's History Week.

Women’s History Month first began a local, weeklong celebration in Santa Rosa, California, in 1978, according to the National Women’s History Museum.

March honors Women's History Month, a time to reflect on the contributions of women in society and struggles for gender equality throughout history, according to the National Women's History Museum.

When she was a child, Lee recalls Juneteenth being more of a private celebration among families. During one of those celebrations in 1939, a mob of 500 people burned down her family’s home, according to the National Women’s History Museum.

“'Her story has been pushed in many ways to the margins,' National Women’s History Museum president and CEO Frédérique Irwin said. 'You might think about Jackie Robinson. Everybody knows who Jackie Robinson was. Yet, does anyone, if you walk down the street, know Althea Gibson’s name?'”

"Dr. Opal Lee attends the National Women's History Museum Women Making History Awards at The Anthem on March 20, 2025 in Washington, D.C."