On September 30, Dr. Nancy was pleased and honored to be appointed to the National Women’s History Museum’s Board of Directors. Founded in 1996, the National Women’s History Museum (NWHM) is an innovative online museum dedicated to uncovering, interpreting, and celebrating women’s diverse contributions to society. A renowned leader in women’s history education, the Museum brings to life the countless untold stories of women throughout history and serves as a space to experience, collaborate and amplify women’s impact—past, present, and future, striving to fundamentally change the way women and girls see their potential and power.
“In March 2020, we were proud to honor Dr. Nancy O’Reilly with our prestigious Women Making History Award for her tireless work championing women’s equality and advancement,” Susan Whiting, Board Chair of the National Women’s History Museum said. “Today, we’re humbled to have Dr. Nancy join our Board of Directors. Dr. Nancy brings decades of experience as an educator, author, philanthropist, and advocate to our Museum, and will help guide us as we work to bring to life the immeasurable and often untold roles women have played in shaping, influencing, and creating American history.”
Dr. Nancy first began working with and supporting NWHM’s work shortly after the 2020 Award. Considering several developments and events currently scheduled, like Tiffany Shlain’s first solo exhibition – Human Nature – presented by NWHM in partnership with Women Connect4Good – she feels now is the perfect time to get more deeply involved and help move the work forward. “As we know, women’s contributions and accomplishments have been largely kept out of our history books. We know the history of our papas, but It’s time for us to know the stories of our mamas, so we can follow in their capable footsteps and make history of our own” Dr. Nancy said.
“The Museum is how we do that. I’m truly honored to join this impressive group and to be part of the work, charged with sharing women’s stories,” Dr. Nancy added. “This is an exciting time for the Museum too, because after 26 years of providing online information about women’s contributions to history they are preparing an interactive exhibit in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library in Washington DC – a location that is not only easily accessible, but one that is also quite inspiring.”
While the physical exhibit is definitely something the Museum team is looking forward to, Susan Whiting added, “The online component of the Museum’s work will continue and get even more inclusive as they add more stories of outstanding women who have been omitted and forgotten in our historical record. NWHM will access numerous spaces to continue its work recording history and preserving it for ourselves and future generations.”
The NWHM fills in major omissions of women in history books and K-12 education, providing scholarly content and educational programming for teachers, students, and parents, reaching more than four million visitors each year through online content and educational resources. To learn more about the Museum and their work, go to WomensHistory.org.