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On October 23, the National Women's History
Museum's Board of Directors and the National Portrait Gallery's Director
hosted a reception honoring the achievements of the American women featured
in the Smithsonian Institution's exhibition American Women: A Selection
from the National Portrait Gallery. This unique and powerful exhibition
underscored the importance of having a permanent museum to provide a venue
for similar efforts in the future. Bust of Rosa Parks from American Women: Selections from the National Portrait Gallery |
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| The evening offered an opportunity to be inspired by women of achievement - those recognized in the exhibition as well as those present. Participants included members of the Museum, Advisors to the Museum, and representatives of the newly formed National Coalition. | ||
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After viewing the exhibition, NWHM President Susan B. Jollie welcomed the guests with a snapshot of the NWHM's 2002 successes. These included a membership increase of 15,000 in the past year, the highly successful exhibition Clandestine Women: The Untold Stories of Women in Espionage at the Women in Military Service For America Memorial, and an update on the search for a permanent Museum site. Photograph of Dorothy Hamill from |
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| Marc Pachter, Director of the National Portrait Gallery,
shared some of the background of developing American Women. He emphasized
the profound importance of undertakingthis exhibition and credited Curator
of Exhibitions Beverly J. Cox as the guiding force for its creation.
Ms. Jollie introduced Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton of the District of Columbia. The Congresswoman expressed the importance of having cultural organizations locate within the District and lauded the NWHM's efforts to find an appropriate site near the National Mall. She once again reaffirmed her support of the Museum and its mission. Prior to the reception, the NWHM held its annual Advisory Board meeting. Ms. Jollie gave an in-depth report on the Museum's progress. At the meeting the Advisory Board and representatives of the NWHM's National Coalition were told of the strategies the NWHM has for reaching it's goals, including the acquisition of a permanent site. The National Coalition also offers new opportunities to increase two-way communication and showcase the historical significance of the participating organizations Among the organizations represented were the General Federation of Women's Clubs, National Education Association, National Congress of Black Women, Women's Bar Association of the District of Columbia, Women in Defense, Women in Aerospace, Business and Professional Women of America, National Federation of Black Women Business Owners, League of Women Voters, National Women's Party, Hadassah, Daughters of the American Revolution, The American College of Nurse-Midwives, and the National Council of Women's Organizations. |
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 Isadora Duncan |
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