Americans talk about girls' bodies a lot. They have for more than a century. Why? Because girls' bodies are often treated like community property. This video examines how body talk—everything from advice to advertising—has often, but not always, determines what it means to be a girl and steers girls toward certain ideas of womanhood. Learn more in the Girlhood (It's complicated) online exhibition.
Health & Wellness
Before the modern medical age, women within many communities served as midwives. In the late 19th century, the rise of formal medical training sparked a change: doctors encouraged women to give birth at hospitals, rather than at home. In the 20th century, medical authority was largely assumed by men until the 1960s when Title IX mandated that all federally funded school programs accept women.
Collection Objects
Learn the stories behind these objects or see more health and wellness objects from our collections.
Conversation Kit
Let's Talk! African American Women Medical Professionals
African American Women Medical Professionals Teaching and Discussion Guide
Grades 6–12. Time: Variable (1–2 class periods). Aligned to C3 Framework for Social Studies Standards.
In this lesson students will investigate and discover the importance of African American medical professionals to the African American community. By the end of the lesson, students will be able to describe how the participation of African American women as midwives, nurses, and physicians has changed over time.
Videos
In New York City's Chinatown, college student Regina Lee and other volunteers organized a neighborhood health fair to improve health literacy in their community.
The Women's Collective in Washington, D.C., holds a "Call My Name" quilting workshop to include women of color in the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Hear how this project promotes representation and healing in the community.
Smithsonian American Women
Remarkable objects and stories of strength, ingenuity, and vision from the National Collection.
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