National Women's History Museum


The National Women's History Museum, is a proposed museum and an American history organization that "researches, collects and exhibits the contributions of women to the social, cultural, economic and political life of our nation in a context of world history." The NWHM was founded in 1996 by Karen Staser. It currently offers an online museum, educational programs, scholarship and research with plans to establish a museum at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

About the Founder

Karen Staser is the founder of the National Women's History Museum. Ms. Staser is a mother, wife and activist who has taken on civic and professional leadership roles. She lives in Anchorage, Alaska with her husband, Jeff Staser.

History of the Museum

The National Women's History Museum was founded in 1996. It currently curates online exhibitions and provides educational materials for school. NWHM has been leading the effort to build a permanent museum dedicated to displaying the collective history of American women on or near the National Mall in Washington, D.C. In December 2014, Congress voted to create a congressional commission to study the creation of a National Women's History Museum.
As of June 2017, the museum maintains a presence online through social media and a comprehensive website which hosts many online exhibits where visitors can learn about the history of American women. The website also serves as a platform to promote NWHM's mission and generate support.
The US House of Representatives passed a bill,, in February 2020 to establish a women's history museum within the Smithsonian Institution with a location on the National Mall.

Board of directors