Collections

The Smithsonian’s collections include iconic objects that tell the stories of American women, their struggles, and their accomplishments. Explore collection highlights and stories related to women and girls, or search our digital records.

Two busts of self-portrait of artist Janine Antoni - one made of white soap, one made of chocolate. Her features have been worn down by bathing the soap and licking the chocolate.
Collection Item
"Lick and Lather" by Janine Antoni, 1993–1994
Jean Ritchie sits in a field, holding a plucked dulcimer. She stares off into the distance, thoughtful.
Collection Item
Jean Ritchie
1876 Ellen Harding Baker's Solar System Quilt
Collection Item
Ellen Harding Baker's "Solar System" Quilt
A tintype occupational portrait of a woman, likely a doctor or possibly a nurse or midwife, carrying a medical bag. The woman is standing tall at the center of the image, looking directly at the camera. She carries a medical bag in her proper left hand.
Collection Item
Vital Midwives
This artifact is a Development Test Model (DTM) for the Voyager spacecraft.
Collection Item
The Women of Voyager
Scientific illustration of Arthrostylidium sarmentosum, a bamboo.
Collection Item
Agnes Chase's Scientific Illustration
Miss America Crown from 1951 - a tiara with many uncolored gemstones.
Collection Item
Yolande Betbeze's Miss America Crown
An African American woman looks out of frame. Next to her the title of the play is written in cursive rainbow letters: for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf
Collection Item
for colored girls Playbill Art, 1977
 Poster depicting a Red Cross nurse.
Collection Item
"Hold Up Your End!" War Fund Week Poster