Smithsonian Names Four Additional Members to the Smithsonian American Women History Museum’s Advisory Council

February 22, 2024
News Release
Three by three grid of black triangles next to capitalized wording of museum title.

The Smithsonian’s Board of Regents has appointed four new members to the Smithsonian American Women History Museum’s advisory council. They are:

  • Kyle McSlarrow, former Comcast senior executive
  • Pat Mitchell, co-founder and managing partner of Connected Women Leaders, Project Dandelion, and co-founder and editorial director at TEDWomen
  • Odie Brant Porter, councillor of the Seneca Nation of Indians and Indigenous rights activist

The member appointed in March 2023 by the Speaker of the House is:

  • Martha McKenzie Hill, attorney at Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard PLLC

Hill, McSlarrow, Mitchell and Porter round out the museum’s advisory council, which consists of 21 citizens, the Smithsonian Secretary, one member of the Board of Regents and four members appointed by congressional leadership. Together, the advisory council of the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum helps with fundraising and advises the Board of Regents on matters related to the development of the museum.

“Martha McKenzie Hill, Kyle McSlarrow, Pat Mitchell and Odie Brant Porter are a welcome addition to the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum,” said Melanie Adams, the museum’s interim director. “Their influence and commitment to making women’s history more visible will play a pivotal role in helping advance the museum’s priorities.”

About the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum 

The Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum expands the story of America through the often-untold accounts and accomplishments of women—individually and collectively—to better understand our past and inspire our future. Through new scholarship, diverse viewpoints and innovative forms of exhibition, storytelling and participation, the museum inspires the next generation to create a more equitable world. The legislation creating the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum passed Dec. 27, 2020, and the museum is working with Congress to finalize a site for a building. Connect with the museum at womenshistory.si.edu.

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SI-64-2024

Media only:
Ellie Reynolds (Smithsonian)
202-633-5393
reynoldse@si.edu

Liza Eliano (Brunswick Arts)
leliano@brunswickgroup.com

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