Former President of Spelman and Bennett Colleges and former Director of Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art Johnetta Betsch Cole, Ph.D., Gracie and multiple Emmy-Award winner Sandra Lee and former Senator Olympia Snowe celebrated as history makers

Washington, D.C.— On April 3, 2019, the National Women’s History Museum hosted its annual Women Making History Awards in Washington, D.C. at the Carnegie Institution for Science. The event commemorated the achievements of women, generated awareness about the importance of preserving women’s history, and highlighted the need for a national women’s history museum in our nation’s capital.

This year’s event honored:

• The Honorable Olympia Snowe, former U.S. Senator from Maine, Bipartisan Policy Center Senior Fellow, and Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute Founder;
• Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole, former President of Spelman and Bennet Colleges and former Director of Smithsonian National Museum of African Art; and
• Sandra Lee, activist, philanthropist and double Emmy® Award-Winning Internationally Acclaimed Culinary and Home Expert.

Newly appointed Museum President and CEO Holly Hotchner said, “We are excited to honor these three women. Their success shows us that throughout history women have confronted every obstacle and fought for what they earned and deserved as Americans. Our history is full of milestones and movements created by women, and these awards help ensure those stories are told.”

The National Women’s History Museum is leading the effort to build a forward-looking women’s history museum that will be a vibrant center creating a community where people contribute and discover women’s stories. A place where contemporary discussions are put into historical context. 

NWHM has honored more than 60 men and women including the late author and poet Dr. Maya Angelou, actress and producer Viola Davis, award winning journalist Cokie Roberts, former First Lady Laura Bush and photographer Annie Leibovitz.

The event’s “history maker” sponsors were Drinker Biddle and Exelon. Drinker Biddle’s Maureen Donohue Hardwick said that the company, which has been in existence since the 1840s, truly understands the importance of women leaders and “jumped at the opportunity to sponsor the event” and honor these incredible women.

NBC News White House Correspondent Kristen Welker moderated the event with interviews with each of the honorees:

• Senator Snowe, who was a champion for the Museum during her time in office, noted the change in Congress over her more than 40-years in public service. “It’s important to get more women elected and encourage bipartisanship” among the dynamic women who made history with the largest number of women serving in Congress. Snowe also said it was important to build a National Women’s History Museum saying, “We have to chronicle and convey the compelling journey of women throughout our history and the extraordinary contributions that they have made in every field and every endeavor.”
• Dr. Johnnetta Cole discussed the important of mentorships and being a trailblazer. “It is rare to go anywhere where no one has ever been before,” she said. “That’s why we need a National Women’s History Museum. Because we don’t know women who have been there and have done so much…We are the ones that can fully tell our story, and the message that will be at the center of the National Women’s History Museum is quite simple: You can fly.”
• Sandra Lee discussed the importance of understanding the stories of those who came before us and being a role model. “Without our founding foremothers, we wouldn’t have our founding forefathers…It’s so important…[for me to set] an example for the women in my own family, for their children and the children that will come after them and [for them] to understand what came before. [The Museum] is essential to the future wellbeing of our children. It’s crucial we make this happen,” she said.

Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), sponsor of H.R. 1980 that would establish the women’s history museum, gave the final rallying cry at the event, “What greater way to inspire and teach the next generation than to show them the many contributions of the women in education and science and so many other fields? As Eleanor Roosevelt said, ‘It’s up to the women.’ And like-minded men. So, let’s go out there and get it done!”

“We don’t lack women who make history — but we do lack the concerted effort to commemorate the history they made,” said Hotchner. “With the help of the people who joined us, we can continue to lead a movement that honors women and build a women’s history museum. One that will be an enduring inspiration for future generations.”

About the National Women’s History Museum

Founded in 1996, the National Women’s History Museum has researched, collected, and exhibited women’s contributions to the social, cultural, economic, and political life of our nation’s history engaging people with our interactive website, online and physical exhibits, education programs, live presentations, and social media to ensure we tell those stories. Through these efforts and its future physical presence, the Museum serves as a guiding light to inspire people regardless of gender, class, race or culture to move into the future with respect, equal confidence, greater partnership and opportunity. A place where visitors can expand their understanding of women’s roles and leave with a compete view of American history. For additional information visit womenshistory.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.