Education

Historically, if you weren’t wealthy, white, and male, access to formal education was limited. That never stopped women and girls from striving to get as much education as possible. Teaching and learning at kitchen tables, in church basements, in one-room classrooms, and at Ivy League universities, women continue to use their agency to push for equal educational access. According to findings published by the Pew Research Center in June 2019, women are now half of the U.S. college-educated workforce.

Read the Story Behind this Object

Collection Objects

Learn about these featured stories or see more examples of education in our collections.

  • Betsey’s sampler includes three distinguishing features of Rhode Island samplers; trumpeting angels with embroidered faces, queen stitch flowers, and a three-story house.
    Supporting Revolution with Needle and Thread
  • A skirt and blouse in a matching alphabetical print of blue, teal, and white on a black background. The blouse fastens with small black buttons, has a pointed collar and short sleeves that tie into bows at the cuffs. The skirt is full and has several plea
    A Brave Stand against Segregated Education at Little Rock Central High School
  • 1876 Ellen Harding Baker's "Solar System" Quilt
    Teaching the Solar System with a Quilt
  • Lego figurines of Margaret Hamilton, Katherine Johnson, Sally Ride, Nancy Grace Roman, and Mae Jemison.
    Immortalizing NASA Women in LEGO® Minifigure Prototypes
  • This postcard shows a woman sitting on the observing chair in front of a large refracting telescope. The accompanying text reads, “Prof. Maria Mitchell in the Observatory at Vassar College. June 1878.”
    Astronomer Maria Mitchell Mentored Women in Science
  • Mary McLeod Bethune stands in front of a painting of a house and palm trees.
    Empowering Black Women through Education

Videos

  • Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, Vice Chair, Smithsonian Institution Board of Regents and President, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute gives opening remarks at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture grand opening dedication ceremony.

  • As a teacher, Julia Child shared her love for culinary arts with the world.

Playlist

Smithsonian American Women book cover.

Smithsonian American Women

Remarkable objects and stories of strength, ingenuity, and vision from the National Collection.

Smithsonian American Women book cover.
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