In the News: We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC

Tufts professor is named chief historian for the 10 Million Names project, guiding a team creating a public database of all enslaved people of African descent in the U.S. from the 1500s to 1865

For instance, just before starting work on the 10 Million Names project, an exhibition she co-curated at the National Women’s History Museum, We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC, opened in Washington, D.C.

We speak to the museum’s new CEO and president after the opening of its first ever in-person exhibition

The museum’s inaugural in-person exhibition opened in March at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library and is free to the public and available through September 2024.

With Civic Season officially underway, hosts Maggie Bell, Cameron Katz and Gabriel Cruz share what events they’re adding to their calendars over the next few weeks.

Exploring “We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC” from the National Women’s History Museum on display at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

Kendra Field, associate professor of history and director of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy at Tufts, co-curated a new exhibition at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, D.C. The exhibition, titled 'We Who Believe In Freedom: Black Feminist DC," opened in March and was created in partnership with the National Women’s History Museum.

Milestones

A new exhibition by the National Women’s History Museum in D.C.—”We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC”—opened in March at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library to honor the legacy and work of Black feminists throughout history, such as civil rights leader Ella Baker. Following the reveal of its first in-person exhibit, the NWHM named Frédérique Irwin its new president and CEO on Monday, April 17.

The museum’s opening and annual gala was celebrated by Sharon Stone, Ashley Graham, Meryl Streep and more.

The National Women’s History Museum recently celebrated the opening of its inaugural exhibit in Washington, D.C. The in-person at the MLK Library focuses on Black feminists and their influence on national policy.

Washington’s MLK Jr. Library Opens Black Feminism Exhibit

“We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC” is on view on the first floor of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, D.C., as part of a partnership between the National Women’s History Museum and DC Public Library.

"'We Who Believe In Freedom: Black Feminist DC' is a special exhibition designed by The National Women’s History Museum (NWHM). According to Travel Noire, the exhibit debuted March 30 and runs through September 15, 2024. The exhibition highlights more than 20 Black women activists who were instrumental in influencing national policy during the 20th century and moving into the civil rights and Black Power movements."

"What Makes The Black Feminist Exhibit Special? Women, particularly Black women, have been the lifeblood of many social movements throughout history. However, they don’t always get due recognition, which is why this exhibit is so important. According to Black Enterprise, 'it highlights more than twenty Black women activists, whose work in Washington, D.C. influenced national policy from the turn of the 20th century, through the civil rights and Black Power movements.'"

"A new exhibit in the District is elevating Baker and her Black feminist counterparts to their rightful place in our collective psyches. It traces their journeys through the seat of American power: the city of Washington."

Out and About

"The National Women’s History Museum hosted a gala last night at the Hamilton Hotel, in celebration of the museum launching its first in-person exhibit at the MLK Library. SPOTTED: Uma Thurman, Sharon Stone, Ashley Graham, Laura Bell Bundy, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Vaughan Bagley, Adriane Brown, Bonnie Lautenberg, Susan Blumenthal, Megan Beyer, Kathleen Matthews, Kara Carscaden, Tiffany Shlain, Nancy O’Reilly, Zarna Garg, Donna Karan, Swiss Ambassador Jacques Pitteloud and Angelique Pitteloud, Sharon Bush, Karen Horne, Melanne Verveer, Luisana Pérez Fernández, Lori Montenegro, Dalila Wilson-Scott and Cheri Kaufman."

"Blue Telescope, an award-winning, interactive exhibit agency, has helped to celebrate Black feminism in Washington, D.C. throughout the 20th century, and the ongoing work of Black feminists today, in a new exhibition at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, entitled 'We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC.'"

An exhibit launching now draws the line from women born into slavery all the way to Vice President Harris. And that line runs straight through D.C.

"But finally, after all these years, an actual ribbon will be cut, interactive displays will be flipped and touched, a Washington gala will be thrown. Not only are folks going to learn about the often unheralded contributions to our nation’s policies made by Black women — think of it as the “Hidden Figures” of civil laws. The exhibit draws the line from women born into slavery all the way to Vice President Harris. And that line runs straight through D.C."

"If you're able to visit a museum in your area or local exhibit highlighting women in history, there are several to see in March and beyond. If you're in the D.C. area, Washington D.C. is home of the National Women's History Museum which hosts several exhibitions, events and programs throughout the year, including an awards show.”

"'We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC’" is being showcased as part of a partnership with the National Women’s History Museum. It’s NWHM’s first in-person exhibit and celebrates the achievements of organizers and theorists"

See an new exhibit on leading Black feminist in DC

"The previously only online National Women’s History Museum just unveiled their inaugural in-person exhibit, 'We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC' and you won’t want to miss it. The show highlights the stories and voices of Black feminist organizers and theorists whose work changed the trajectory for the lives of millions and features pivotal figures like Anna Julia Cooper, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Mary Treadwell, and Nkenge Touré."

The display at Penn Quarter's Martin Luther King Jr. Library will focus on Black feminism in DC.

"Since its founding in 1996, the National Women’s History Museum—one of the country’s largest collections of women’s history information and artifacts—has been an online museum focused on research projects. Today, it’s debuting its first ever physical exhibition: We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC will be on display at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library in Penn Quarter through September 2024."

"Entitled We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC, the exhibition highlights more than 20 Black women activists whose work in Washington, DC influenced national policy from the turn of the 20th century through the civil rights and Black Power movements."

"We are celebrating remarkable women throughout the month of March for Women’s History Month. The National Women’s History Museum will officially open its new DC Black Feminist Exhibit this week. Kendra Field, the exhibit’s curator talk with our Taniya Wright about the exhibit and what people can do when they visit the exhibit."

"An exhibit that highlights the history of Black feminists in D.C. opens Thursday at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library downtown, celebrating the accomplishments of Black women activists from the turn of the 20th century through today. A grand opening ceremony Thursday evening will feature talks from historians and D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, who is represented in the exhibit herself."

"The National Women’s History Museum and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library team up to present a new exhibition about 20th century Black women activists. Curated by historians Sherie M. Randolph and Kendra T. Field, “We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC” displays the impactful histories and voices of local feminist leaders Anna Julia Cooper, Mary Church Terrell, Eleanor Holmes Norton, and several more. The opening event includes a performance by singer Rochelle Rice, and snacks from DC Central Kitchen (opens Thurs, free, MLK Memorial Library)."

“As the Vice Chair of the National Women’s History Museum, I am proud that we will be able to bring to life some of these Black female trailblazers at the new exhibit in Washington, D.C, "We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC." By showcasing their contributions to women’s history through political activism, we can help reverse the alienation and under-representation experienced by younger women."

"The National Women's History Museum in D.C. is launching a brand new exhibit highlighting trailblazers from the turn of the 20th century to now. Dr. Sherie M. Randolph joins the DMV Zone with details on what visitors can expect and how you can check it out yourself."

The month isn’t over yet! There’s still plenty of time to learn more about the wonderful world of Black womanhood.

"If you love spending a much needed solo day learning something new, check out the inaugural in-person exhibition We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC at the National Women's History Museum in Washington D.C. It runs from March 30, 2023, to fall 2024 and traces the journey of Black feminism in that area, starting in the 20th century and going through the civil rights movement to where we are today."

"The grand opening for the National Women's History Museum's (NWHM) inaugural in-person exhibition is set for March 30. The exhibit will be open at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in northwest D.C."

Celebrate women’s history all month long with empowering events throughout the D.C. area.

"Celebrate the opening of the new exhibit at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, in partnership with the National Women’s History Museum. The 'We Who Believe In Freedom: Black Feminist DC' exhibit will open with a night of hands-on activities and giveaways, bites by DC Central Kitchen and a special performance by Rochelle Rice. Free. 5 p.m. 901 G St. NW, DC."

"We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC (March 30, MLK Jr. Memorial Library, free): "We Who Believe in Freedom" will be the first full, in-person exhibit from the National Women's History Museum — and it will open to the public for the first time this month. Learn about Black feminist organizers and leaders, including Eleanor Holmes Norton and Mary Treadwell, plus their impact on communities in D.C. and across the country. On opening night, visitors can enjoy a special performance by Rochelle Rice and complimentary snacks."

"Celebrate the stories of Black feminists by visiting the ‘We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC’ exhibition. The groundbreaking partnership between the National Women’s History Museum and the DC Public Library traces Black feminism in DC from the turn of the 20th century through the civil rights and Black Power movements to today. Celebrate the expansive work that Black feminists have done to make a difference in the lives of women in DC communities and for people across the country. The exhibit opens on March 30, 2023."

D.C. boasts a number of events, exhibits and activities to highlight women and celebrate their achievements.

"What better way to learn about and celebrate some of the most renowned women in history than by hitting up the National Women’s History Museum? This online museum offers a bevvy of information on female historical figures and their amazing feats. But even better, the museum will be launching its first in-person exhibit in honor of Women’s History Month: you can check out “We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist D.C.” when it debuts at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library on Thursday, March 30. Learn more here."

"The National Women’s History Museum has existed online for years, but at the end of March, its first-ever physical exhibit will be launched at the MLK Memorial Library. '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. The exhibit examines the voices and stories of more than a dozen trailblazing women, from the early Black feminism of the “Jane Crow” era to the future of Black feminism. Learn more about the Women’s History Museum here and see more about the MLK Library here."

Readings, tastings, exhibits, and even a pajama party throughout the month of March.

"The National Women’s History Museum will open a new exhibition, 'We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC,' on the first floor of the MLK Library (901 G St., NW) on Thursday, March 30. The first physical exhibit of this scale for NWHM, it will highlight the Black women at the heart of activism in DC throughout the 20th century and into today. The exhibit’s curators say that the show will explore decades-old topics—voting rights, reproductive freedom, equitable education—that are still relevant in 2023."

Black women have been marginalized or erased as major players in history. We need special efforts to level the playing field.

"Thankfully, the stories and voices of Black feminist organizers and theorists whose work changed the trajectory for the lives of millions can now be experienced up-close-and-personal in Washington, D.C.: A new exhibit curated by the National Women’s History Museum and housed, appropriately, at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library features trailblazing Black feminist activists, including Anna Julia Cooper, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Loretta Ross and Nkenge Touré, among others."

National Women’s History Museum Announces Exciting Partnership with Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

"The National Women’s History Museum (NWHM) has launched a new collaboration with the DC Public Library at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in the heart of downtown Washington, DC. The groundbreaking partnership includes an inaugural in-person exhibit at the MLK Library opening on March 30, 2023 focusing on DC Black feminists. The ‘We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC’ Exhibition shares the historical story of the roles of Black women activists in Washington, DC, from the turn of the 20th century through the civil rights and Black Power movements and the impact they had on life today."

National Women’s History Museum’s first full exhibit (March, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library).

"The National Women’s History Museum and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library partnered to display the Glass Ceiling Breaker, a sculpture made entirely out of shattered glass that highlights the nation’s first African-American female vice president and Howard University alumna, Kamala Harris, and the glass ceilings she has shattered. This comes as the museum partners with D.C. Public Libraries and prepares to host its first exhibition, an African-American women’s exhibition, in March 2023."