As Women's History month comes to a close, I wanted to give you all some ways to continue exploring the influential contributions of women throughout the world. Although the month is over, everyone can still learn more by visiting these three must see museums that dedicate themselves to the work of women.
National Museum of Women in the Arts
The National Museum of Women in the Arts is located in Washington, D.C. and is dedicated exclusively to women in art. According to the museum's website, they have a collection of 4,500 artworks by more than 1,000 women artists.
The museum features artworks in various mediums that span across many time periods, which shows the rich and diverse talent of women creators. Some artists exhibited in the museum include Mary Cassatt, Lavinia Fontana, Rosa Bonheur, Elaine de Kooning, Judy Chicago, Camille Claudel, Sarah Bernhardt, Frida Kahlo, and many, many more.
The Brooklyn Museum
The Brooklyn Museum is located in Brooklyn, New York. Inside, there is an exhibit by Judy Chicago called The Dinner Party, which celebrates the history (or herstory) of women from the beginning of time.
Essentially, the exhibit is centered around a triangular table that holds 39 place settings for influential women throughout history. Each setting contains an embroidered runner, a pottery plate, a chalice, and utensils. There are an additional 999 names of women inset on the tile floor below the table to honor them as well.
I have seen this exhibit myself, and it is absolutely breathtaking because of the atmosphere the exhibit creates as well as the meaning and significance behind it. After seeing it that first time, it not only inspired me to research it more in my art history courses during undergrad, but also made me want to go back again, which I hope to do some day soon.
Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument
The Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument is also located in Washington, D.C. and is the home (quite literally) of the women's suffrage movement in America. Since 1997, The National Women's Party, a group who continues to advocate for women's rights, has operated out of the house.
Inside, there are exhibits that document the history of the suffrage movement and the many influential women involved. What is so inspiring about this house is that as you walk through it, you're retracing the steps of women the likes of Alice Paul and her contemporaries, who all fought for women's equality.
Additionally, there is another exhibit (a permanent one I believe) that features the artwork of Nina Allender, a political cartoonist. You can see her work in the archives online, along with many other objects and resources, at https://nationalwomansparty.pastperfectonline.com/.
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