From the Secretary: Women making a difference
1865 Telescope used by Maria Mitchell, America’s first woman astronomer and first woman scientist of note. Mitchell gained international recognition for discovering a comet in 1847. She taught astronomy at Vassar College in New York from 1865 to 1888.
One of the most prominent artifacts on permanent display at the American History Museum is the Vassar Telescope (on the first floor), used by Maria Mitchell in the 1860s. A professor at Vassar College, she was the first American woman to discover a new comet, and she sent a report of it to her lifelong friend Joseph Henry, our first Secretary. She set a powerful example for women then—and now. During the early days of the Smithsonian, a small but determined group of women made distinguished contributions to their fields and created a remarkable legacy. At the Smithsonian we honor Women’s History Month each year by paying tribute to such accomplishments.
Smithsonian Leaders
Mary Jane Rathbun became one of the Smithsonian’s first paid fulltime women scientists when she was appointed second assistant curator of marine invertebrates in 1894 and assistant curator in charge of the division in 1907. A famous expert on Crustacea, Rathbun was the first to describe and name the blue crab Callinectes sapidus, or “beautiful swimmer.” She was appointed honorary curator and worked at the Smithsonian until five years before her death at age 82.
Rathbun was among the first of a growing number of women who have made the Smithsonian what it is and who continue provide the creative genius that is essential to its growth.
In 1914 the Smithsonian hired Amelia Fowler, a professional flag restorer, to preserve the flag. With a team of needlewomen, she sewed the flag to a linen backing using a uniform network of stitches.
Exhibitions and Events
Some of our most popular exhibitions focus on women’s contributions. The First Ladies Collection at the Smithsonian, one of the longest-running exhibitions at the Smithsonian, is much more than beautiful inaugural gowns. It explores the many important roles played by the first ladies, such as campaigner, champion for national issues and policy advocate. The exhibition also examines the evolving traditions surrounding the gowns’ bequeathal. First Lady Michelle Obama donated her inaugural gown during Women’s History Month in 2010; you can see it and others on our YouTube channel.
First ladies can be highly visible figures. They often seem to embody the accessible and emotional side of the presidency. As first ladies have become more familiar public figures, they have been able to inject candor, humor, and glamour into the presidency as well as express compassion and concern for Americans. Less constrained by an official position, first ladies may sometimes speak more candidly about controversial topics than the president might. Not all women agreed with Betty Ford’s frank opinions on feminism, sex, and abortion, but most appreciated her open discussion of her diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer. Her example saved lives as more women went to be tested for the disease. She is seen here visiting the Guttman Institute for the Early Detection of Breast Cancer in 1975. Photo courtesy of Gerald R. Ford Library, photograph by Karl Schumacher.
On display at the Postal Museum, Amelia Earhart’s Personal Collection includes photographs and stamps commemorating her flights. American postage stamps highlight inspiring and remarkable women in history and the arts, such as Martha Washington, Abigail Adams, Eleanor Roosevelt, Mary Cassatt, Willa Cather, Bessie Smith, Marian Anderson, and many others, and the stamps can be viewed online via Arago. At the Air and Space Museum, the “In-flight Suit” worn by Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, is on display in the Moving Beyond Earth exhibition. In Pioneers of Flight visitors learn about Bessie Coleman, one of the first African Americans to earn a pilot’s license.
From left, Museum of American History Director Brent Glass, First Lady Michelle Obama and Secretary Wayne Clough at the donation ceremony of Mrs. Obama's inaugural gown to the First Ladies collection at MAH. (Photo by Hugh Talman)
Throughout March the Smithsonian Channel will highlight some of the world’s greatest women scientists and their discoveries, such as an incredible scientific breakthrough that may be the secret to immortality. Click here for showtimes or to watch full-length episodes online.
25-cent The Wizard of Oz Stamp. Copyright United States Postal Service. All rights reserved.
The NASM’s Udvar-Hazy Center will offer “Women in Aviation and Space,” a family day celebration in coordination with SCEMS, The Heritage Months Steering Committee and the Hirshhorn on Mar. 12, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Young children and their families can create a storybook illustrating an important woman in their life. Teens from the Hirshhorn’s ARTLAB+ video production program will then interview the children and record their stories, producing videos for the families and for posting on the History and Heritage site. The last Heritage Month celebrating African Americans at NMAH was very popular!
At the American Art Museum and running throughout the month, two docent tours cover women artists in the collection and how they overcame challenges and became successful artists. As part of the Rhythm Café series, the Anacostia Community Museum will offer a lecture and musical performance Mar. 13 at 2 p.m. celebrating the music of Simone Bittencourt de Oliveira, one of Brazil’s top pop singers. Former female students from Howard University will perform together, including Karine Chapdelaine, an award-winning bassist of the Howard University Jazz Ensemble. The American Indian Museum’s Heye Center in New York will offer “The Arts of Haida Women” Mar. 5, from noon to 4 p.m., with unique demonstrations by artists from the Northwest Coast that showcase various art forms traditionally exclusive to women. More events can be found here.
Enjoying interactive learning during a family day at the Udvar-Hazy Center. (Photo by Dane Penland)
The contributions made by all these women not only inspire our nation during Women’s History Month, but also inspire generations of young women—and men—every day. With their strength, creative energy and sheer force of will, these role models remind us to celebrate the important women in our own lives and encourage us to address the challenges of the 21st century.
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Posted: 4 March 2011
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