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Feminism: The Second Wave

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About Us

Founded in 1996, the National Women’s History Museum (NWHM) is an innovative museum dedicated to uncovering, interpreting, and celebrating women’s diverse contributions to society. A renowned leader in women’s history education, the Museum brings to life the countless untold stories of women throughout history, and serves as a space for all to inspire, experience, collaborate, and amplify women’s impact—past, present, and future. We strive to fundamentally change the way women and girls see their potential and power. NWHM fills in major omissions of women in history books and K-12 education, providing scholarly content and educational programming for teachers, students, and parents. We reach more than five million visitors each year through our online content and education programming and, in March 2023, mounted our first physical exhibit at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in downtown Washington, DC, "We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC."

Each time a girl opens a book and reads a womanless history, she learns she is worth less.

Myra Pollack Sadker
Professor, Author, Researcher, and Activist

Explore More!

Join this Women’s History Month to transcribe Clara Barton’s papers, held at the Library of Congress! Help unlock the past, one word at a time, by delving into the archives! This virtual, free event is open throughout the month of March to anyone who wants to be a part of this essential, crowdsourced public history project!

 

Learn more and register here.

Featured Biographies for March

Environmental health advocate Catherine Coleman Flowers uncovered startling consequences of Lowndes County, Georgia’s wastewater problems. After a visit to a resident’s flooded lawn, she noticed insect bites on her legs that led to a rash – one her doctors could not diagnose. She reached out to scientists at Baylor College’s National School of Tropical Medicine and they determined that hookworm, a tropical parasite thought to have been eradicated with the advent of modern plumbing, was responsible for her rash as well as many of the health problems plaguing local residents. The findings spurred the Centers for Disease Control to investigate the prevalence of these diseases throughout the region. Flowers later testified before Congress on the issue, leading to legislation to fight these "neglected diseases of poverty.” Congress budgeted millions of dollars of new funds for rural septic and wastewater programs in 2019.  

Learn more about women engaged in community activism in this month’s featured biographies. 

Use the NWHM’s compendium of online biographies to spark curiosity and dig deeper into women’s impact throughout our shared national history. Explore more here

 

If we want our girls to benefit from the courage and wisdom of the women before them, we have to share the stories.

Shireen Dodson

Students and Educators

Discover our educational resources. Find lesson plans, biographies, posters, timelines, videos, and more on a wide variety of women's history topics. 

Museum News

Close-up image of Muse Award statue - woman wearing blue and gold dress with right hand on her face and left hand on her neck, set against a light gold background.

NWHM and Collaborative Partner Blue Telescope Named 2023 Gold Winner Recipient of the Muse Award for Experiential & Immersive Exhibition Experience for "Black Feminist DC"

The award, which recognizes technological innovation, follows in the Museum’s tradition of utilizing cutting-edge technology and creating digital experiences in the service of women’s history learning.
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Statement from Frédérique Irwin, President and CEO of the National Women’s History Museum, on the American Women Quarters Program and the 2025 Honorees

"As in previous years, the fourth and final year of this powerful program features five remarkable, barrier-breaking women whose vast contributions to our country have made a more equitable, inclusive, and just society."
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Help unlock the past, one word at a time.

Join us to transcribe Clara Barton’s papers, held at the Library of Congress! This free, virtual event is open throughout the month of March to anyone who wants to be a part of this essential, crowdsourced public history project. How much you transcribe is up to you.

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Calling All Kids (and their grownups)!

Join author Nancy Churnin on March 20 as she reads her 2019 picture book, Martin & Anne: The Kindred Spirits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Anne Frank. Nancy will then answer young readers’ questions!

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Now Open at the MLK Library in Washington, DC!

NWHM's award-winning exhibition, We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC, traces Black feminism in Washington, DC from the turn of the 20th century through the civil rights and Black Power movements to today.

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A History of Women's Access to Higher Education in the U.S.

Learn more about Title IX and the champions behind this seminal legislation that significantly expanded access to higher education.

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Upcoming Events

2024-03-20

Brave Girls Virtual Storytime: Martin & Anne with author Nancy Churnin

Calling all young readers and their grownups! Join author Nancy Churnin as she reads her 2019 picture book Martin & Anne: The Kindred Spirits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Anne Frank. Nancy will then answer young readers’ questions!
READ MORE
2024-04-13

Bus Tour: Black Feminist DC

Explore the history of Black feminism in Washington, DC with National Coalition Partner A Tour of Her Own.
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2024-04-17

Virtual Workshop for Educators, Silences in the Archive: Women’s History and (lack of) Primary Resources

Learn strategies for reading primary sources to help students understand those silences and make inquiries and analysis based on them
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2024-04-27

Walking Tour: Black Feminist DC

Explore the rich history of Black feminism in Washington, DC and discover historical sites and markers honoring Black women's contributions.
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