Women's History Campaign

Where Women Made History

Every place has a woman's story to tell.

Women’s history is America’s history. Female thinkers, activists, and trailblazers have shaped us into the nation we are today and continue to lead us forward. Yet only a small fraction of our cultural heritage recognizes women’s ever-present role in history, and far too often women's struggles and achievements have been lost, forgotten, or deliberately obscured.

Through Where Women Made History, we are identifying, honoring, and elevating places across the country where women have changed their communities and the world. Together, we can galvanize support for preserving these places, inspire a new generation of women and girls, and create a future where all people see themselves reflected in a more truthful and inclusive collective history.

Meet the women (and places) who inspired our Women’s History program design.

Donate Today to Help Save the Places Where Our History Happened.

Support the National Trust for Historic Preservation today and your generosity will protect the important historic places that tell the full American story, including those where women made an impact on our history.

“Women's history is women's right—an essential, indispensable heritage from which we can draw pride, comfort, courage, and long-range vision.”

Gerda Lerner, Historian

Inspired by the momentous achievement of the 19th Amendment and its 2020 centennial, our multi-year program will:

Protect and preserve 100 places of women’s history.

We are supporting the community-based preservation of diverse places and stories through advocacy, technical assistance, community engagement, publicity, critical grant funding, strategic partnerships, and our National Treasures program.

Reshape the historical narrative to include women past and present.

Through creative interpretation and programs that highlight the often hidden, but always inspiring, stories of women’s accomplishments, Where Women Made History has already supported and expanded interpretation at six National Trust Historic Sites as well as expanded our Historic Artists’ Homes and Studios program to include more stories and sites of women artists.

Encourage the next generation of women in preservation.

Women historically have played outsized roles in the recognition and protection of our national heritage, yet they continue to be underrepresented in the male-dominated restoration and construction trades. All-female HOPE (Hands-On Preservation Experience) Crew projects are introducing young girls and women to a new professional path by engaging with women’s history through the restoration of prominent women’s history sites.

Discover 1,000 places where women made history, and elevate their stories.

In 2020, the Where Women Made History crowdsourcing campaign inspired the public to identify 1,000+ places in all 50 states, showcasing the unknown and underappreciated stories of women as professionals, artists, activists, scholars, entrepreneurs, and preservationists.

But places, programs, and stories like these are only the beginning. Through these sites and more, let’s work together to tell the full American story.

Sponsors

Benjamin Moore

Since 2017, Benjamin Moore has provided more than 1,500 gallons of their high-quality paints to National Trust Historic Sites. Starting in 2020, we embarked on a program that focuses on the preservation of sites in America where women from all walks of life have made history.

American Express

American Express

For more than a decade, American Express has supported preservation through program sponsorship and direct grantmaking. In 2019, American Express awarded $1.8 million in grants to fund projects that celebrate the contributions of women in Main Street communities across America.

Donors

  • Anonymous
  • Mr. and Mrs. P. Steven Dopp
  • Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in Fine Arts
  • Marilynn and John Hill
  • Iron Mountain
  • Ms. Jacqueline B. Mars
  • Mr. and Mrs. Stephen McAvoy
  • State of New York
  • Patten-Davis Foundation
  • Mrs. Susan M. Ryan