Getting Creative to Make Women’s History Discoverable
Discovering women’s history is often an exercise in resilience–you have to dig deep into archives, get creative with search terms, and not give up when you hit what seems like a dead end. While it’s true that many women’s lives and major contributions to American history have been lost, it’s important to remember that, in many other cases, the information you want is there–the stories themselves are resilient. They may just be hard to find.
[W]e’re seeing opportunities to start solving this problem of the absence of women in archives and the historical record by using tools that data scientists can build to make women more discoverable.
Learn how experts at the Smithsonian who have been working to ensure that women’s stories are not only preserved but can be found by anyone who wants to learn about them. Women have shaped so many realms in American history–including science, the arts, politics, and education–but often, the evidence of their work remains hidden under layers of amnesia, neglect, and bias.
Using new tools, asking fresh questions, and recruiting help from the public, Smithsonian staff have been making significant inroads into mapping women’s impact and sharing these incredible stories with the world.
"Recovering American Women’s History" by Dr. Elizabeth Harmon
Source: Google Arts & CultureTapping into their own resilience and creativity, these experts are making it easier for future generations to discover the richness of American women’s history. After all, the more we can find and share these stories, the more resilient they will be and the larger impact they will have on how we understand the past and imagine our future.
The Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum’s work not only shines a light on well-known figures but also brings to the fore women who have been overlooked or marginalized. You can contribute to this vital endeavor by becoming a member, contributing to Wikipedia, or sharing stories of influential women in your own community. Each contribution helps ensure that the legacies of these pioneering women continue to be acknowledged and celebrated.
