March is Women’s History Month. Designated in 1987 by Congress, this national celebration was established to pay tribute to the generations of women whose lives and work have proved invaluable to our society and culture. To honor the occasion, here are some destinations that feature women who overcame hardships to make their mark in history.
Women in Civil Rights
From Harriet Tubman, the woman who escaped slavery and became one of the most famous “conductors” of the Underground Railroad, to Rosa Parks, the famous civil rights activist who refused to give up her bus seat, there have been many notable women who aided in the fight to end slavery and the long fought battle for civil rights. These women and their contributions are documented and presented in museums throughout the U.S., but some of the most notable locations to honor these women are the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historic Park in Maryland, the National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington D.C., and the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee. Each location offers unique experiences and collection pieces from the lives of historic women in the abolitionist and civil rights movements.
Women in the Suffrage Movement
The right to vote, the right to an education, and the right to own property were just some of the overall rights fought for during the Women’s Suffrage Movement. The people, places, and stories most famous in this movement and the First Woman’s Rights Convention are chronicled at the Women’s Rights National Historic Park in Seneca Falls, New York. Founded in 1980, the park preserves the Wesleyan Chapel, where the first Women’s Rights Convention was held along with the homes of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Mary Ann M’Clintock, and Jane Hunt. Stanton, M’Clintock, and Hunt were three of the organizers of what many believe was the formal beginning of the Women’s Rights movement. Stanton is also believed to be the person who helped Susan B. Anthony develop an interest in women’s rights.
Women in the Time of War
Rosie the Riveter is an iconic propaganda piece that was used to represent the American women who worked to produce munitions and war supplies during World War II. She is also the symbol of the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historic Park in Richmond, California. Comprised of numerous World War II era buildings, this relatively new National Park helps to tell the stories of how World War II changed the lives of American civilians and the role women played during that time.
These are just some of the places that pay tribute to the many iconic women in American History. If you’re looking for more destinations dedicated to historic women, consider Amelia Earhart or Marilyn Monroe, both previously featured. Looking for something closer to home? Research the birthplaces, memorial markers, statues, or historic buildings related to historic women in your town or state.