Smithsonian American Women's History Museum

Not to be confused with National Women's History Museum.

The Smithsonian American Women's History Museum is a future Smithsonian Institution museum dedicated to women's history, to be located in Washington, DC. The museum was established by Congress as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which became law on December 27, 2020.[1] Development of the museum is expected to take at least ten years.[2]

Lisa Sasaki was appointed as the museum's first interim director in March 2021.[3][4] Elizabeth C. Babcock was publicly named the museum's director in March of 2024 and assumed the role in June of the same year.[5]

In August 2021, the Smithsonian Board of Regents established an advisory council for the planning, design, fundraising, and development of the museum. Founding members of the council include Secretary of the Smithsonian Lonnie Bunch, fashion designer Tory Burch, actress Lynda Carter, and tennis champion Billie Jean King.[6][7]

  1. ^ "Highlights of massive COVID-19, government funding law taking effect". KHOU-TV. AP. December 27, 2020. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  2. ^ Ashlie Rodriguez (March 9, 2021). "'Honoring half the population': Women's History Museum in the works on the National Mall". WSET-TV. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  3. ^ "Maloney applauds appointment of interim director of the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum" (Press release). Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney. March 12, 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  4. ^ Peggy McGlone (March 24, 2021). "The Smithsonian is on a massive search for six new museum directors. Their work could reshape the institution for generations". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  5. ^ Halperin, Julia (March 12, 2024). "Smithsonian American Women's History Museum Names New Director". The Washington Post.
  6. ^ "Smithsonian Names Members of the American Women's History Museum Advisory Council" (Press release). Smithsonian Institution. August 20, 2021. Retrieved 2022-06-07.
  7. ^ McGlone, Peggy (August 20, 2021). "Billie Jean King and Tory Burch named to board of proposed Women's History Museum". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 7, 2022.