20 Women-Focused Events and Exhibitions to Visit in Washington DC in 2020
20) Women’s History Month: Join A Tour Of Her Own (TOHO) for a 10-day celebration of women in American history and culture. The kickoff event includes a panel discussion and networking social. The celebration continues with tours and events scheduled every day leading up to International Women’s Day. (February 28th, 2020 - Sunday, March 8th, 2020) Click to view the full calendar here.
19) Shall Not be Denied – This Library of Congress exhibit examines the growth of the suffrage movement while focusing on themes like fortitude, sacrifice, and victory. (Now - September 2020)
18) Rosa Parks: In Her Own Words – Visit the Library of Congress’s newest exhibit showcasing rarely seen materials that offer an intimate view of Rosa Parks and documents her life and activism—creating a rich opportunity for viewers to discover new dimensions to their understanding of this seminal figure (Now – August 2020)
17) Rightfully Hers - Located in the National Archives adjacent to the Charters of Freedom, this exhibit highlights the relentless struggle of diverse activists throughout U.S. history to secure voting rights for all American women. (Now - January 3rd, 2021)
16) The Exchange 2020 - The Dumbarton House examines the role that women have played in education through history as both teachers and students – from organizing the very first formalized classrooms, known as Dame Schools, to spearheading advancements in education in the late 18th and 19th centuries. It highlights Josepha Nourse, the daughter of the man who lived here from 1804-1813. (Open now until April 6th, 2020)
15) Women: A Century of Change - The exhibition’s stunning photographs, drawn from National Geographic’s unparalleled image collection, span nine decades and feature a myriad of countries. Each image creates a portrait of some aspect of women’s existence and shows exhibition visitors how the depiction of women has evolved since National Geographic’s founding in 1888. Complementing the exhibition is an additional section: Portraits of Power.
Women participate in the Holi ceremony, the festival of love and colors, which was once considered inappropriate for widows, at the Gopinath Temple in India.
PHOTOGRAPH BY AMY TOENSING
14) Lucy Burns Museum - The area’s best-kept secret is Lorton, Virginia’s Workhouse Arts Center. The newest exhibit on campus tells the story of the suffragists who were imprisoned there in 1917 for picketing the White House for women’s right to vote (Opens January 25th, 2020)
13) Girlhood! (It’s Complicated) - The Museum of American History understands that girls and women have been misrepresented in society. For decades, young women were told that girls were “made of sugar and spice and everything nice.” What we learn from history is that many girls were made of stronger stuff. (June 2020 - January 2022)
12) Creating Icons: How We Remember Women’s Suffrage – The new exhibit at the Museum of American History marks the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. Commemorate women’s achievements in winning suffrage while learning about the cracks and fissures in the movement that continue to impact women’s politics and activism. (Opens March 6th, 2020)
11) Hearts of Our People: Native Women Artists – The Renwick Gallery is situated just across from the White House and will showcase the first major thematic exhibition to explore the artistic achievements of Native women. It includes about 80 artworks and highlights the power of the collaborative process. (February 21st, 2020 – May 17th, 2020)
Christi Belcourt (Métis),The Wisdom of the Universe (detail), 2014, acrylic on canvas; Art Gallery Ontario, Toronto; Purchased with funds donated by Greg Latremoille © Christi Belcourt
