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."

Sister Rosetta Tharpe began her musical pursuits in the church. She experimented with various genres including rhythm and blues and rock and roll. She was exceedingly skilled at playing the electric guitar, asserting her mastery as a guitarist. Tharpe has been dubbed the “Godmother of Rock and Roll.” Musicians such as Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Eric Clapton, and Little Richard have cited her as an influence. Lifelong friend, Roxie Moore, spoke enthusiastically of Tharpe’s talent: "She could play a guitar like nobody else you've ever seen . . . People would flock to see her. Everybody loved her.”

You can learn more about Sister Rosetta Tharpe and other musicians from U.S. history 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.