Smithsonian Celebrates Women’s History Month

March 1, 2010
News Release

The Smithsonian celebrates Women’s History Month in March with a series of lectures, workshops and performances at museums around the Institution. All programs are free unless otherwise indicated. 

Feature Event
The Smithsonian kicks off Women’s History Month with a festival devoted to women in the arts Saturday, March 6, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kogod Courtyard at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery. This day of family fun includes music, dance performances and workshops; hands-on art and stamp-collecting activities; and a special interactive “Red Carpet” area for dress-up and photos.

Lectures
The S. Dillon Ripley Center presents “Women in Health Care: Continuing the Legacy” Tuesday, March 16, at 11 a.m. in the Discovery Theater. This lecture is held in conjunction with the exhibition “Women and Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America.” The talk focuses on the challenges and accomplishments between Catholic sisters and their secular “sisters” in the field of health care.

The Smithsonian Associates features “Ayn Rand: A Philosopher Who Lived Objectively” Saturday, March 20, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Ripley Center. This seminar examines the philosophy of objectivism as seen through the works and life of bestselling author Ayn Rand. Tickets are required: general admission, $120; Resident Associate members, $85. Call (202) 633-3030.

For Children
The National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center will host “Women in Aviation and Space Day” Saturday, March 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors will learn about the accomplishments of Amelia Earhart, the Women Airforce Service Pilots, Sally Ride and contemporary women who are contributing to space exploration and aviation science and technology. This museum-wide family day includes book signings, a story time and hands-on activities. Admission is free, but parking at the Udvar-Hazy Center is $15.

Exhibitions
The National Museum of American History adds an additional gallery to its popular “The First Ladies of the Smithsonian” exhibition, which features gowns from 11 of the most recent first ladies, beginning with Mamie Eisenhower. The new gallery opens March 10 and focuses on the public interest and media coverage of each woman’s “debut” during the inauguration and includes contemporary accounts of first impressions of each woman and the role she might play in the White House. Also included in the new gallery are watercolor sketches of 14 gowns from the collection. The two galleries that make up the current exhibition, “The First Ladies at the Smithsonian,” display a total of 24 dresses from the collection.

“Women and Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America” features rare artifacts and photographs from more than 400 communities are on view to explore the role of Catholic sisters in American life. From the time they first arrived in America nearly 300 years ago, sisters built schools, colleges, hospitals, orphanages, homeless shelters and many other enduring social institutions. As nurses, teachers and social workers, they entered professional ranks decades earlier than most other women. They shared common experiences of immigration and migration and endured the same national crises as other Americans. This exhibition is open at the S. Dillon Ripley Center’s International Gallery through April 25.

All programs are subject to change. For more information about the Women’s History Month programs, visit:
www.SmithsonianEducation.org/Heritage or e-mail heritagemonths@si.edu. For general Smithsonian information, call (202) 633-1000 or (202) 633-5285 (TTY).

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SI-86-2010