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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."

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?

December 7th is Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, when Americans commemorate the 1941 attack that brought the United States into World War II. The Japanese attack shocked a nation that had heretofore resisted entering foreign wars by bringing the conflict to its shores. Dozens of stories of heroism emerged after the attacks, including that of the inspiring courage of First Lieutenant Annie G. Fox (Army Nurse Corps), who received a Bronze Star for her actions. The Bronze Star, when awarded for bravery, it is the fourth-highest combat award of the US Armed Forces and the ninth highest military award in the order of precedence.

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

Discover Online Exhibits

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

Museum News

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National Women’s History Museum Awarded $2.5 Million Grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. for Forthcoming Exhibition

New exhibition, "Faith and Freedom: Women's Social Justice Activism Through the Lens of Spirituality and Religion," will explore the intertwined, complex relationships between faith, ‘feminisms,’ and freedom.
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Mattel to Receive NWHM's Corporate Changemaker Award

The National Women’s History Museum will honor Mattel, Inc. with the inaugural Evelyn Y. Davis Corporate Changemaker Award at NWHM’s Women Making History Awards Gala on March 20, 2025.
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New: NWHM's Annual Impact Report

Read our first annual Impact Report, which explores our work in 2023.
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We believe women’s stories belong front and center, yet women remain underrepresented in history books, leadership, and STEM fields. This isn’t just a knowledge gap; it’s a barrier to progress. In this season of giving, help us make history. We're raising $50,000 by December 31, with every dollar matched to double your impact. Your support will amplify undertold stories of trailblazing women, inspire young women and girls, and empower all of us to imagine what’s possible when women lead.

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Women Making History Awards Gala Honoree

NWHM's Evelyn Y. Davis Women Making History Corporate Changemaker Award will be presented to Mattel at the Women Making History Awards Gala on March 20, 2025 in Washington, DC.  The award recognizes Mattel for the societal impact of its brands like Barbie on generations of girls, and its purpose to empower all to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.

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