Maryland Womens Heritage Center And Museum Inc

When I walk into The Maryland Women's Heritage Center I immediately feel connected to inspiring women's stories. The inclusiveness of featured women of diverse backgrounds, talents and accomplishments engages the public to value women's contributions throughout our state's history and provides positive role models for all who enter. The Center also serves as a convenient venue for retreats and meetings. Participants marvel at the breadth of educational opportunities to learn about women who settled and nurtured our state in earlier centuries to contemporary women leaders. MWCH mission of putting HER story into History to make Our story is vital to develop strong women and girl leaders. Men and boys visiting the MWHC benefit, as well. Learning of women's accomplishments in the past and present facilitates a more inclusive future of shared leadership. The current "Women of NASA Goddard" exhibit is oustanding and the "Unsung Heroines" section is very special-anyone can submit a Maryland woman's name (and story ) who has made a difference in their life.

The historical timeline, artifacts and personal stories are my favorite parts of the Women's Heritage Center. The inspired work of today's women honoring women who have given us so much from the past is amazing! If you want an opportunity to feel great about yourself visit this wonderful center-the women of Maryland really rock!

Maryland Women's Heritage Center houses the permanent exhibit for the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame. I have been the docent when people visit the museum and are "blown away" by this high-quality, informative display of the amazing Maryland women who have been inducted since 1985. Young minority women marvel at the inclusion of Lucille Clifton, Billy Holiday, Harriet Tubman, Juanita Mitchell Jackson and other African American women shown in the display. One can see visitors' own sense of self worth increase when they realize that the state of Maryland has recognized and honored women with whom they can identify. Others read the brief biographies of the inductees and marvel at the accomplishments in all areas from science to the arts to politics these women have achieved. In most cases, accomplishments about which they never knew.

This exhibit is just one of the many reasons the Maryland Women's Heritage Center should be celebrated. It's existence must be perpetuated.

The Maryland Women's Heritage Center plays a vital role in telling the stories that often go unheard but so desperately need to be heard. They do so with great sensitivity to the diverse population of Maryland and to living their mission. It is the place to go for information on the amazing women of Maryland.

Last year, the Maryland Women's Heritage Center ranked among the top great non-profits. It deserves that recognition again. This center is a role model for education. Its programs are excellent and its staff and volunteers work tirelessly to promote the history of women in Maryland as well as advance opportunities for women and young girls.
As the first of its kind in the nation, it serves as a model for other states
Carolyn Stegman, Ed. D.

The Maryland Women's Heritage Center is the best place to learn about all the wonderful women of Maryland from the unsung heroines to the inductees in the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame.

The women of the MWHC walk the talk of their mission. They were some of the most supportive and collaborative women that I dealt with as I searched for ways to get the word out about my documentary Breaking Through the Clouds: The First Women's National Air derby. They sprung into action and created a screening for the film at Baltimore's Enoch Pratt.

It was with a sense of true community that the women brought me into their folds and shared the mission of celebrating inspiring stories of women. I can not say enough about how well I was treated, how their passion blended with mine over our mutual goals and how we were able to move actions forward together, while maintaining respect and having fun along the way.

Heather Taylor, Executive Producer
"Breaking Through the Clouds: The First Women's National Air Derby"

The uniqueness of the Maryland Women's Heritage Center and Museum leaps at you the minute you walk in the space. It is sunny, airy and full of herstory in every corner. It displays information about women who have been outstanding in Maryland history. It lets you dwell and peruse the unsung heroinnes who live among us. If you are a child, it allows you to complete your women's history project about a notable person who has affected our lives. In short, it has many enticements if you are searching for role models or guides toward future careers and it has an upbeat spirit about what many in our citizenry are missing by not knowing the history of our ladies. Come and see for yourselves, I guarantee you will find treasures and facts you should know about. Carmen Delgado Votaw

I have visited the Women's Heritage Center and Museum and seen several of its projects, including work with students and adults across Maryland. There is no other parallel in the USA and this one, should wisely serve as a model for other states. Rarely are the categories of diversity so well reflected in a seamless and user-friendly manner. If this center wasn't able to thrive, we would quickly lose and perhaps not ever reclaim this HERstory.

I had not heard of the Maryland Women's Heritage Center until fall 2010 but have since worked with them on a major exhibit on women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers (I'm a scientist myself) and have attended several of their events, as well as corresponding with them through email. The result is that I am a tremendous fan of, collaborator with, and supporter of this very special organization. The Maryland Women's Heritage Center is magnificent, bringing to its visitors a wealth of well-displayed information about women in many fields of endeavor, with attention both to accomplishments that are well known and accomplishments that generally go unmentioned. It has a staff of hard working volunteers who devote their time and energies to a cause they deeply believe in, relaying to females and males alike the importance and accomplishments of the women of Maryland, past and present. I hope to be associated with this organization and the wonderful people in it for decades to come. Claire P.

This is a nurturing non-profit that has heart, intelligence and open to everyone who cares about women's role in history and its's leadership today. It is inclusive and over the years of my engagement I have seen it grow in depth and promise for future generations.

Having the pleasure of working with the powerful and passionate folks associated with the MWHC for the past six years, imparts a love of women's history and a never ending devotion for the present and future for the women of Maryland and beyond. The staff and volunteers maintain exciting exhibits and programs as well as constantly upgrading and improving them. Future events, programs and community outreach is forever on our calendars as is creating new fundraising campaigns. The MWHC, first of its kind in the nation serves as a model for other states, and is committed to education and inspiration to all those that visit the Center in person, attend an event or program or take some well spent time and visit our website www.mdwomensheritagecenter.org

The MD Women's Heritage Center continues to expand its partner/collaboration base in order to promote greater community awareness and support. This year in collaboration with Enoch Pratt Library, MWHC provided the Baltimore premier of "Breaking Thru the Clouds", a documentary film created and produced my MD filmmaker, Heather Taylor. This film shared the stories of many early women pilots who have not had their contributions told.

Additionally, the MD Space Business Roundtable again provided the MWHC with a mini grant to continue the educational and career exploration activities related to learning about STEM careers and increasing the number of women pursuing those opportunities.

The Maryland Women's Heirtage Center and Museum in an outgrowth of a 20-year Maryland Women's History Project. It is now housed in a Center in Downtown Baltimore which provides programs, activities, resources, dialogues , services, and resource materials and displays for Marylanders and visitors . It was selected as a national outstanding exemplar of a non-profit by former U. S.Secretary of the Interior Salazar. The Center serves a diverse individuals and groups and addresses critiical women's issues, as well as contributions historical and contemporary.

Kudos to Jill and Linda for having their dreams realized. They were among the fore runners of Title IX and have kept the torch buring for 40 years. Their vision a place were women can go and feel at home; to feel that it belongs to them and they have worked hard to create that atmosphere while addressing and representing some of the unsung heroines from the present as well as the past. Exhibits and programs galore, partnerships with needed women's focused organizations including the girl scouts. Kidgineers in the Korner and Kid friendly spots thoughout. I am proud to be a part of it and shoot the Teen Scene Show there another example of how they reach out to all. And occasionally we do let men in, as Jill says as long as they have a mother lol. Keep the torch burning and always ready to pass on. LG

The Maryland Women's Heritage Center, a strong non-profit, honors so many individuals and groups of women by Adding HERstory to HIStory to tell OUR story . It brings together community members and educators and families and organizations to commemorate the contributions of women and girls of the past and present (and future). Many programs recently have involved diverse multicultural participants of a wide range of ages -- from elementary school and Girl Scouts to Red Hats and World War II Veterans. and Rosie the Riveters So much is learned and shared, and resources are available to learn about the Unsung Heroines in our lies, as well as the more "famous" women. The current displays focus women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and expand our horizons and present outstanding role models! role models. As an educator and women's history and equity advocate, I highly value all that the Center offers and provides.

The Maryland Women's Heritage Center provides and invaluable service to the State of Maryland by serving as a focus for women to expand their horizons. This year, in partnership with NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, they have provided many young women with examples of the many opportunities available in STEM careers. We need to increase the number of women in STEM careers and this partnership has provided a very effective model for that stimulus.

What a treasure to have the Maryland Women's Heritage Center as a part of our community - sharing the stories about real women making real differences and making sure that young women have a vision as to what they can bring to the world. My radio show in Baltimore, WomanTalk Live, is proud to be a partner with the Maryland Women's Heritage Center to ensure that the stories of women from the past, present and future are honored and shared.

This Center's exhibits of Rachel Carson and hundreds of other women from Maryland who made history are such a source of inspiration for people of all ages. The Center's recently held "YOUth Can Make a Difference for Girls' Rights! Celebrate the first International Day of the Girl" recognized the successful campaign led by Maryland girls between 11-20 years of age who mobilized U.S. support for this new United Nations annual girls' rights day. This Center--the first in the country--serves as a superb model for museums in other states.

Thanks for sponsoring the MD Day of the Girl event!! :)

The MWHC makes history come alive. The way the Center does this is what makes it an extraordinary example of how it moved from an ideal to the reality it envisioned as a model, non-profit. It is a stunning place from its interactive displays to its collaborative partnerships with other non-profits and businesses.

It depicts the history of Maryland through people and events in a compelling use of the most diverse of people and artifacts, showing and involving: donors, visitors, and volunteers, businesses, the public sector, the academic world, young, old, students, professionals, rich, us-ordinary people, actors, the famous, the unsung and the deceased in what could be described as the most ecumenical and varied of programs.

As a start, just look at their Web site. Its information appeals to our curiosity and most importantly is so user-friendly. They find the most fascinating of representative history and have the best food at its events.

Finally, as an example to rival the Appalachian Trail, it researched and established a women’s heritage trail that traverses the state, rich in history and enchanting in its stories.

My own life experience demonstrated the fact that opportunities for women to advance professionally were limited. I was fortunate enough to be named the first woman Provost in the University of Mryland System and then the first women President of a campus in that system. From the outset, the women who were to go on to found the Women's Center were incredibly supportive. The then first lady of the state, Frances Glendening, began the women's history project, in which classroom materials were prepared and distributed throughout the state, featuring the contributions of women in all fields of endeavor. Eventually, with the assistance of an incredible staff of volunteers, themselves women leaders, and the continuing support of each first lady following Mrs. Glendening, the Center took shape, first as a virtual center sponsoring educational programs and now as a physical place housing the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame, exhibits and materials serving school students and citizens throughout the state. The Center is the first and only one of its kind in the nation. For all those reasons, I believe that it is deserving of recognition as a national model.

This is a fantastic center that is free to all. Their center features all women in the state of Maryland. I am especially proud of their Unsung Heriones Section that features the every day women in our lives, like your mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, etc. Currently the center is featuring women in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. The Goddard Space Center played a key role in this remarkable exhibit. Just recently World War II Womaen Veterans were featured in a heart warming program.

I am so honored to be a member of the Board of MWHC. Every time I visit the Center I am inspired. In its uniqueness as the first center of its kind in the United States to recognize and promote the women of Maryland and their contributions, MWHC has become a role model not only for other states but for other countries as well. The current display on Women in S.T.E.M. , including the Women of Goddard is so powerful and informative.

I feel so empowered every time I visit the Center or attend one of their events. Learning about the women whose shoulders we stand on that got us to where we are -- to have choices and have a voice is so humbling and inspiring. All of us can make a difference and our stories need to be told. Their line truly says it all -- Adding her story to history to tell our story!

Recently the Maryland Women's Heritage Center had a program to recognize, honor, and appreciate the women serving in the military and on the home front during World War II. The title was "WWII's Unsung Heroines". Three authors of books about women of the Second World War era gave presentations about military and civilian women's activities. The center amassed an amazing panel of WWII women including a WASP (Womens Airforce Service Pilots), a Rosie the Riveter, a member of the Army Nurse Corps, a Marine, a Red Cross Worker, a WAVE, a WAC, and a SPAR (US Coast Guard). Each told her "war story" to a rapt audience of more than one hundred. A retired US Air Force Brigadier General brought greetings from the Women in Military Service Memorial in Washington, DC and presented the honorees with citations from a Maryland Senator Mikulski and Congressman Sarbanes. Many of the featured women were accompanied by family and friends who beamed with pride when their "unsung heroine" was honored. This event is evidence of the Maryland Women's Heritage Center's comittment to "adding herstory to history to tell our story".

The Maryland Women's Heritage Center is totally unique. Its initial home is small but warm and welcoming. It is chock full of previously unknown information about the contributions of girls and women. When a group visits, we conduct tours of the Center and then tailor activities for that particular group. I have personally worked with groups ranging from young students with special needs to senior citizen groups. The response is always terrific and people continually cite how much they have learned and how the Center and its programs provide inspiration for them in their own lives. The Center touches and helps people from diverse regions and backgrounds. For example, our mail carrier submitted the story of his mother and grandmother for the Unsung Heroines gallery. All of these precious stories are being preserved at the Center and on its website, honoring the girls and women in our lives and enabling their stories to be told to inspire and empower future generations.

I was fortunate to be involved in the formation of the Maryland Women's Heritage Center almost from the beginning, and have watched it grow from those first years when we met in borrowed office conference rooms to plan and dream and try to figure out what we were going to do. But we used the assorted talents of a very diverse group of women -- I brought a background in marketing/PR and there were business women, educators and other professions represented as well. Yet I always felt a little diffident that we were focusing so much on women, rather than being inclusive of male history as well. However, as I heard more of the stories and met others involved in the center's founding and promotion, I began to realize and appreciate not only how necessary the center has become, but how much difference the affiliation with MWHC has meant in my life: working with other women who have done fascinating work in so many fields and a number of them on the frontlines of pushing aside the gender barrier in those fields. And I have been pleasantly surprised that some of the most rewarding times I've experienced with MWHC are those when I've represented the organization at gatherings of young women looking toward careers in science (STEM) programs -- I have been delighted to see representatives from all ethnicities coming to the conferences. But most of all I have been so impressed to see the number of fathers bringing their daughters and visiting the exhibits together. That has helped me to realize that the time I've spent working to get the organization up and running and continuing is probably one of the more far-reaching and long-lasting endeavors of all my years of volunteering for a wide range of organizations.

The Maryland Women's Heritage Center is a true treasure. As a national first in sharing the contributions of Maryland women, the Center is an incredible resource for all Marylanders. The all volunteer staff engages its visitors and works hard to spread its mission throughout the state.

Having the pleasure of working with the powerful and passionate folks associated with the MWHC for the past four years, imparts a love of women's history and a never ending devotion for the present and future for the women of Maryland and beyond. The staff and volunteers maintain existing exhibits and programs as well as constantly upgrading and improving them. Future events, programs and community outreach is forever on our calendars as is creating new fundraising campaigns. The MWHC, first of its kind in the nation serves as a model for other states, and is committed to education and inspiration to all those that visit the Center in person, attend an event or program or take some well spent time and visit our website www.mdwomensheritagecenter.org -

I am a volunteer with the organization this year but have been aware of them since attending the opening in June 2010. The work this organization does is phenomenal. It not only recognizes the contributions of exceptional Maryland women, but also salutes the contributions of every day sheroes. There is a great opportunity to learn the herstory in history and to fill in the gaps in history. What an amazing undertaking! This organization does it very well.

I raised 4 children as a single working mother and always taught my children you need to understand history to understand who you are and where you are going. I have lived in Southern Maryland all my life and have learned so much about the contributions of so many amazing women that have made not only Maryland but our country and our World . If not for this organization these women and their stories would be lost to the future generations. But it is not just the women of the past that need to be shared and saved but the women of today day like Dr Nancy Grasmick. This is an

In addition to being a comprehensive and only women's history museum of it's kind in Maryland, the Maryland Women's Heritage Center also offers wonderful doecent tours and programming which is specialized for groups of students, clubs, and ages of all kinds.

The Maryland Women's Heritage Center is an outstanding non-profit, which serves as a museum honoring women in a wide range of fields, a showcase for the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame, a home for an Unsung Heroines gallery, and also as a leadership center and gathering place to adress current issues related to women, families and communities. It provides important learning experiences in a welcoming environment for individuals of all ages and backgrounds,

The Maryland Women's Heritage Center is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 am till 4 pm at 39 W. Lexington St., Baltimore, MD.

Though the site is small it is packed with wonderful exhibits that tell the stories of Maryland Women, some notable, some unsung heroines who are not in our history books. The first exhibit is the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame, which currently, tells the stories of 60 of the 136 Maryland Women who have been inducted into the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame. Two rotating exhibits, which in November will tell the story of Maryland Women involved in Science, Technology, Engineering & Math will be on display. One is a time line of women who were the first in the field and the other is the Women of NASA.

I was able to get a sneak peek of these two incoming exhibits and they are fantastic. The Women of NASA tells three important elements for visitors to see and understand. 1. NASA does really cool stuff. 2. That there is more to NASA than space exploration. 3. Women of all ages and cultural backgrounds who have a variety of talents and skills work at NASA in science related jobs.

I am really excited about this upcoming exhibit and hope lots of people come, see, and learn about all the fantastic things Maryland women have accomplished.

During this past year, we have especially focused on on-going programs, development of the STEM Timeline as well as donor development. We were fortunate to have secured 2 mini grants to support the Time Line from the MD Space Business Roundtable and the MidAtlantic Collarative for Girls. Additionally, the Women of Goddard Space Flight Center have been an incredible partner in providing in kind contributions to our STEM related displays and programs. All who visit the center, its website and programs continue to rave what a gem it is!!!

It has been my pleasure and privilege to work with Linda Shevitz and Jill Moss Greenberg for over 30 years in promoting multicultural women's history. They are both extraordinary educational leaders and have done essential work in ensuring that the stories of all women will be told. Their pioneering work in creating women's history student essay contests for Maryland's school children has encouraged generations of students to discover the courage, determination, and strength of women in their own families, their own communities, as well as throughout the nation. As outstanding educators in the field of multicultural women's history they have encouraged educators, historians, and librarians to expand the focus of their curriculum and research. Few others have had such an impact on multicultural women's history from pre-school to graduate studies. Their ability to generate so much with such limited financial support is a model for the rest of the nation. The countless awards received from administrators, colleagues, and public officials testify to their extraordinary dedication, which has provided inspiration, motivation and resources to so many Their visionary work can be seen in what they have already established as the Maryland Women's Heritage Center. This Center not only provides the opportunity to learn about the exemplary contributions of Maryland women, but also offers the inspiration to discover family and community history and the strength that comes from knowing this history.

Every exhibit at The Maryland Women's Heritage is educational; regardess of gender or age. The 'Unsung Heroines' exhibit is unique as a means to honor our mother's, grandmother's, friends, collegues and sister's who may not have won awards or noted in books, but have made an important contributions to the community. Reading the personal entries, included in the exhibit, and seeing the expressions of joy and pride of those who contributed, reinforced my belief that the Women's Heritage Museum powerfully fosters the impetus to create positive change in our communites.

The MWHC is a resource for women of all ages to learn about the power and strength of women,the remarkable accompolishments of women in spite of multiple obstacles in their way. This center will encourage girls and women to take risks, to aspire to their highest ideals and goals in a very suppotive and nurturing environment. The staff is volunteer, day and evening, and special sessions are scheduled to accomodate the needs of various groups. Most of all, the forgotten or never before brought to light successes of women in unique roles and businesses will serve as an inspiration for others. This center is like no other in the state, and probably not in the US.

The center does out reach to everyone, it is the one place where women are recogized for what they do. From the young to the oldest among us. They provide classes, tours, education and more education. Under their direction young women learn that there are no limits to what they can do. Every women is respected for what they do, every accomplishment is valued. The Center is completely run by volunteers. So, along with every thing else they do,the center teaches leadership. The outreach to all is outstanding everyone who enters the Center comes away uplifed by the displays, the art work of women aand the many student exhabits. No other organization does what the Center does to provide support for women.

The Maryland Women's Heritage Center is the first of it's kind in the COUNTRY! The first museum dedicatd to women and their contributions ~ humanitarian, medical, political, judicial, and social to society. It is a museum well overdue in recognizing women and their sacrifices for others in the state of Maryland and beyond. It is a MUST SEE of all school children to learn about the heroines recognized as well as the unsung heroines of our daily lives. Thank you on behalf of me and my children to all of the men and women who worked in collaboration to make this dream finally come true!

I work on a committee with the Associated Builders and Contractors called "Women In ABC." We are a group of women that encourages young girls and women looking to re-enter the work force to consider a career in the Construction Industry - a traditionally male-dominated industry. I learned about the Md Womens Heritage Center when we were looking for partnering organizations that could help us with our mission. The MD Womens Heritage Center is now working with us on a Scholarship Program that will give a $1000 scholarship to a High School Senior girl who researches and creates a display depicting a woman in the State of Maryland that has made a great impact on the construction industry. They have helped us put together guidelines for the girls which teaches them how to research and build a display that can be considered a well-designed diaplay for exhibiting purposes in any museum. The MWHC will display the winning exhibit in 2011. Based on my experiences, I have accepted a position on their Board. The passion and conviction and enthusiasm I've experienced with not only the Board Members but also all the volunteers that act as docents or help create programs is amazing! This organization not only provides a venue to display the highlights of MD women throughout history it acts as a resource and as a means for organizations like ours that want to help women find their purpose. They provide a way for today's girls and women to learn from the past and see first hand how other women have made their mark.

I am honored to be a part of this national first. The Center is an incredible resource for all Marylanders, particularly women and girls, and encourages future generations.

The MWHC has not just set the bar nationwide, it has done it with the best information from our past and the clearest intentions about our futures. Rarely have I visited a museum or attended events (even fundraising programs!) where the inclusive nature of the people, their professional backgrounds and their personal stories generate so much excitment. They look, act and feel like a fined tuned team-of (as Maya Angelou says) a family of friends. Although they begand more than 30 years ago, uncovering the women of Maryland's past, they are now THE group that is making history in our state!

The Maryland Women's Heritage Center grew out of the educational Maryland Women's History Project, which provided materials every year to classroom teachers, libraries, and community members about both historical and contemporary women who are generally left out of textbooks and the media. Topics included women in math and science, women in the arts, women in law and government, girls and young women as leaders, and women activists in areas such as suffrage and civil and human rights. The Heritage Center houses the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame, with panels and photos of more than 100 women leaders. Previously, the Hall of Fame was nothing more than a single plaque with the women's names that was housed in a law building in Annapolis. No one really had access or learned anything about these women's accomplishments, other than seeing their names. the Center also has a wonderful, comprehensive timeline about leaders in women's and civil rights, beginning with the Piscataway women who first inhabited the land that is now Maryland. There is a children's corner with activities. Perhaps most important, the Center features an Unsung Heroines Gallery, where women who shape our families, organizations, and communities are recognized for contributions that would go unknown. It is not just "famous" women who make a difference, but all women, who are often "unsung."

As a member of the marketing committee for the Maryland Women's Heritage Center, I have personally been able to work to bring awareness to the Center's mission. In the process, I have also learned about historic women/places that I never knew existed. It has been a worthwhile and engaging experience to work on this national first!