Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Launches First Digital Exhibition

The Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum will launch its first digital exhibition tomorrow March 8 in celebration of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day. “Becoming Visible: Bringing American Women’s History Into Focus” is an interactive exhibition available for the public to explore on the museum’s website that confronts how women’s stories have been in a constant state of becoming visible in American history. Actor and singer-songwriter Lynda Carter, a member of the museum’s advisory council, will share introductory remarks for a virtual look inside the exhibition March 14 at 3 p.m. ET.

The 10-minute digital experience created by the woman-led digital design firm Forum One takes audiences on a visual and emotional journey through five women’s lives: Elizabeth Keckly, an author and formerly enslaved woman who became a lauded dressmaker to Mary Todd Lincoln; Margaret Knight, a 19th-century inventor who mechanized the production of flat-bottomed paper bags; Hisako Hibi, a Japanese American artist who lost much of her work after spending over three years in government detention during World War II; Isabel Morgan, a scientist who was instrumental in the development of the polio vaccine; and Hazel Fellows, a seamstress who helped create the Apollo space suits.

Narrated by curators from across the Smithsonian, the five stories are organized into themes that express how women’s history has been treated—either excluded, forgotten, almost lost, erased or obscured. Each story comes to life through objects from the Smithsonian’s collections, archival records, recorded interviews and original illustrations and animations. The exhibition opens with an introduction narrated by actress, designer and producer Rosario Dawson, who serves on the museum’s advisory council.

“This exhibition demonstrates that the disappearance of women’s stories is a systemic problem that impacts all aspects of American history,” said Melanie Adams, interim director of the museum. “Our goal is to create a more accurate and inclusive record of American history that truly honors the vital roles that women play in our nation.”

The Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum will also host a Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon March 27 where attendees will edit and create Wikipedia articles about the women represented in the exhibition. This event is presented with support from Wikimedia DC.

About the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum 

The Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum expands the story of America through the often-untold accounts and accomplishments of women—individually and collectively—to better understand our past and inspire our future. Through new scholarship, diverse viewpoints and innovative forms of exhibition, storytelling and participation, the museum inspires the next generation to create a more equitable world. The legislation creating the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum passed Dec. 27, 2020, and the museum is working with Congress to finalize a site for a building. Connect with the museum at womenshistory.si.edu.

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