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.
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.
Learn the stories behind these objects or see more health and wellness objects from our collections.
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.
This video highlights the influence of Regina Lee's upbringing as an Asian American Immigrant and how growing up in Chinatown, NY, during the 50s, 60s, and 70s shaped her philanthropy.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor was interviewed by Jan Smith, for the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery. Sotamayor discusses how managing type 1 diabetes as a child taught her discipline and creativity.
Remarkable objects and stories of strength, ingenuity, and vision from the National Collection.
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