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Feminism: The Second Wave

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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."
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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

Did You Know?

Less than one year after the adoption of the Massachusetts State Constitution, a brave enslaved woman challenged the document’s proposed principles. Motivated by the promise of liberty, Elizabeth Freeman, born as “Mum Bett,” became the first African American woman to successfully file a lawsuit for her personal freedom in the state of Massachusetts. This case marked the beginning of a group of “freedom suits” that would ultimately lead the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court to outlaw slavery in their state. In honor of Civic Season, learn more about Elizabeth Freeman’s life and other women’s experiences during our nation’s founding in this month’s featured biographies.

More Inspiring Stories

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

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Discover Online Exhibits

Explore powerful stories of women who shaped history. Online Exhibits offer a unique glimpse into women's impact, resilience, and legacies.

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Museum News

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Statement on the Passing of Dr. Sally Roesch Wagner

NWHM mourns the passing of Dr. Sally Roesch Wagner, a pioneering historian, author, educator, and longtime member of our Scholars Advisory Council.
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NWHM Announces 2025 "For Educators, By Educators" Cohort

NWHM is delighted to announce the 2025 cohort of educators participating in the classroom resource development initiative.
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Statement on the Passing of Congresswoman Mia Love

Statement on the Passing of Congresswoman Mia Love
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Dark Matter, Bright Futures

Celebrating Vera Rubin and Women in STEM

Dr. Vera Rubin is being honored as part of the U.S. Mint’s American Women Quarters Program. This event recognizes Rubin’s groundbreaking contributions to the field of STEM and uses her moment in the spotlight to inspire young women to see themselves in STEM fields. It’s both a celebration and a call to action: to keep making space for women and girls in STEM.

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Video Out Now: She Is Not a Footnote

Awareness inspires action, and helps keep these women’s stories out of the margins. In this next phase of our campaign, we’re taking our commitment to confronting the underrepresentation of women in history one step further with the launch of the first of two bold, new videos—narrated by the hilarious Rachel Harris—spotlighting real women in STEM who built, discovered, and led, only to be erased from the story.

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She Is Not a Footnote*

Just Released : The Young Women and Girls’ Aspiration Report

Download, read, and share our new report, the first major initiative in our She Is Not a Footnote* campaign. Findings from this report—based on a survey of more than 1,100 girls and young women—shed light on the challenges young women and girls continue to face and the urgent changes needed to ensure they are not sidelined for another century.

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Upcoming Events

2025-07-16

Virtual Workshop for Educators: Gender Bias in Historical Narratives

This virtual workshop equips educators to dive deeper into the gender bias embedded in dominant historical narratives and center the diverse voices of women. Date: July 16, 2025 | 1-3pm ET | Virtual
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2025-07-23

Dark Matter, Bright Futures: Celebrating Vera Rubin and Women in STEM

Dr. Vera Rubin is being honored as part of the U.S. Mint’s American Women Quarters Program. This event recognizes Rubin’s groundbreaking contributions to the field of STEM and uses her moment in the spotlight to inspire young women to see themselves in ST
READ MORE