Women's History

The achievements of women throughout history have been integral to the flourishing of humanity. From raising families to leading armies, women have made untold contributions to history.

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  • Women's History Month

    Women's History Month

    In the United States, March is Women's History Month, a time for celebrating the diverse and historic accomplishments of women.

  • Women Who Fought for the Vote

    Women Who Fought for the Vote

    In 1920, American women voted for the first time, thanks to activists such as Susan B. Anthony, Alice Paul and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

  • Famous Firsts in American Women's History

    Famous Firsts in American Women's History

    American history has been full of pioneering women who made great strides in science, politics, sports and art.

  • Women in the Civil War

    Women in the Civil War

    The coming of the Civil War challenged the ideology of Victorian domesticity that had defined the lives of men and women in the antebellum era.

Did You Know?

In 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell graduated from medical school and became the first female doctor in the United States.

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Women in World History

Although many of the accomplishments and contributions of women have been lost from the history books, women have played a vital role in the course of human civilization.

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Women in War

Wars have often been times of extreme upheveal, and catalysts for social change. The Civil War challenged the ideology of Victorian domesticity that had defined the lives of men and women in the antebellum era, opening up new opportunities for women. During World War II every aspect of American life was impacted, and American women helped the war effort both in uniform and by joining the industrial workforce.

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First Ladies

The first lady of the United States is the hostess of the White House, and is traditionally the wife of the president. Each first lady has choosen her own level of involvement in the affairs of the White House and the nation. While some preferred to stay more secluded, others have been famed hostesses or trusted advistors to their husbands.

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Women's Suffrage

On Election Day in 1920, millions of American women exercised their right to vote for the first time. For almost 100 years, women (and men) had been fighting to win that right: They had made speeches, signed petitions, marched in parades and argued over and over again that women, like men, deserved all of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

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Women in Civil Rights

Amid the harsh repression of slavery and severe racial prejudice, Americans of African descent, and particularly black women, fought--sometimes at their own peril-- for their freedom and their rights.

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Famous Firsts in American Women's History

American history has been full of pioneers: Women who fought for their rights, worked hard to be treated equally and made great strides in fields like science, politics, sports, literature and art. These are just a few of the remarkable accomplishments that historians and people across the United States celebrate. What "Famous Firsts" will American women achieve next?

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