DC Adventures to Celebrate Women’s History Month
Adventures in Washington, DC that celebrate women's contributions to art, history, politics, and business in honor of Women's History Month
DC may not have a women’s history museum yet, but adventurers can still find plenty of sites honoring women throughout history. Check out the adventures below to learn more about women who changed history, gave back to their communities, broke barriers in business and the workplace, and are making their voices heard through art and politics.
10,000 Buddhas Mural
Artist Amanda Giacomini hopes her Buddha murals communicate that everyone has the ability to become enlightened as well as the power of community to help us along on our journey.
American Red Cross National Headquarters
The American Red Cross was founded in 1881 by nurse Clara Barton. The historic headquarters was constructed both as an office for the organization and as a memorial to the women on both sides of the Civil War who assisted the wounded soldiers.
Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument
Museum highlighting the fight for women’s suffrage and the equal rights movement. Mirrors throughout the house include empowering sayings like “I stand on the shoulders of the women before me,” “I will run for office,” and “This is what a leader looks like.”
Folger Shakespeare Library
Research library with the world’s largest collection of works by Shakespeare. Emily Folger was integral to the process of building this collection. She scoured booksellers’ catalogs to identify items to consider purchasing and recorded their acquisitions with hand-written catalog cards to keep track of the collection while it was in storage.
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Nature preserve with waterlilies, lotus flowers, and a tidal marsh. Helen Shaw Fowler took over her father’s business and transformed it into a very successful commercial venture and tourist attraction. In the 1930s, the city wanted to dredge the Anacostia River, which would have destroyed the Gardens. Helen convinced Congress to purchase the property and turn it into a public park. She relinquished control of her business but saved the Gardens for all of us to enjoy.
National Museum of Women in the Arts
The only major museum in the world dedicated entirely to the discovery and appreciation of women artists. If you can’t name five women artists, this museum is the perfect place to rectify that. The variety in their collection means there is something that will appeal to everyone.
Surratt Boarding House
Former boarding house run by Mary Surratt where John Wilkes Booth met with co-conspirators to plan the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Mary unfortunately became the first woman to be executed by the federal government.
Titanic Memorial
Statue honoring the men who sacrificed their lives so the women and children could have spaces in the limited lifeboats. Although this memorial commemorates the men who died, it was conceived, designed, and funded by women.
Wish Tree for Washington, DC
Interactive art installation by Yoko Ono that invites visitors to tie wishes to a tree. When creating this piece, Ono was inspired by the Japanese tradition of writing prayers on pieces of paper, and then tying the paper strips to a tree.
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