The Foreword
We were professional tour guides long before we became authors. Storytelling is our strength and exploring places is our passion but as our careers and perspectives grew, we felt compelled to reframe the narrative. In order to bring history forward, women deserved better representation in public spaces.
An idea became a business in 2018 when Kaitlin founded A Tour Of Her Own (TOHO), the first tourism company in Washington, DC to focus exclusively on women's history. The vision to create a sustainable culture of women’s tourism was manifested into reality with genuine support from Rebecca, whose knowledge and commitment helped propel the business forward significantly. Just as we hit momentum in March 2020, the tourism industry was instantly devastated by COVID-19. During a time of prohibited travel, we pivoted to transfer tourism from the streets of DC onto the pages of this book; 111 Places was our pandemic project. We certainly encountered obstacles trying to navigate a city recovering from unprecedented events but despite six-feet of social distancing, we ultimately discovered connection. Our stories of people and places often intersected, and when pieced together formed a more comprehensive narrative.
The demands of modern women were heightening in real time, but just as our foremothers, they triumphed to emerge as essential healers in our collective wellbeing. Grateful for our health and mindful of this historic moment, we wanted to offer our own contributions. With intention, we designed a guidebook that would promote and rebuild the tourism and hospitality industries. With pride, we showcased sites that would express the character and legacy of our capital city. With respect, we wrote stories that would honor women who broke ceilings and crawled on glass for us. It is our pleasure to share with you our deep appreciation for women's history in Washington, DC.
About The Book
Women's history is everywhere in Washington, if curious locals and adventurous tourists know where to look. As the District of Columbia evolved into one of the world’s top tourist destinations, women emerged as pioneers and a town created to house the federal government matured into a gilded city affluent in feminist culture. Historic houses, hidden alleyways, and neighborhood parks stand as memorials to America’s founding mothers who built the nation’s capital. This book records the legacies of these women and encourages readers to explore their names on headstones, street signs, and buildings, while also discovering where hidden history is unmarked. Rising from a strong foundation, modern DC women have continued to nurture the legacy of their foremothers as chefs, artists, athletes, philanthropists, politicians, and entrepreneurs. Most notable are the stories of collaboration in which these women flout the myth that nothing gets accomplished in Washington. Feminism in the city is fueled by the creativity, leadership, and fortitude of local women, each with a personal experience that is uniquely special. While no story is the same, the themes of preservation and progress are weaved throughout this book as a reminder; her story is history and it is still being written.
Meet the Authors
Kaitlin Calogera is a licensed tour guide, author, and entrepreneur who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. After recognizing a lack of women’s representation in public spaces, she founded the first tourism company in Washington, DC to focus exclusively on women's history. A Tour Of Her Own (TOHO) was established in 2018 to offer historical tours and special events that reframe the narrative by elevating women’s stories. Calogera became a professional tour guide because she believes in education beyond the classroom and that tourism has the power to ignite social change. Her book "111 Places in Women's History That You Must Not Miss" is a travel guidebook that encourages readers to explore sites and stories about women, many who are overlooked in traditional textbooks. With an extensive background in coaching female student-athletes, Kaitlin’s philosophies center around teamwork, empowerment, and education. As an avid traveler and researcher, she believes in the idea that we all belong but sometimes have to search deeper for the people, places, and stories we connect with most.
Rebecca Grawl is a professional DC tour guide with more than a decade's experience in public history and tourism. As a local guide, Rebecca works with a wide array of audiences, developing tours on a variety of topics, with a special focus in women's history. She is particularly proud of her involvement with A Tour of Her Own, the first tour company in DC to focus exclusively on women's history. She is a graduate of Randolph-Macon Woman's College, holding a Bachelor of Arts in American Culture, a member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution as well as an alumna and senior leader with the National Society Children of the American Revolution.
