About Us

A Smithsonian affiliate, The Women's Museum™: An Institute for the Future makes visible the unique, textured, and diverse stories of American women. Using the latest technology and interactive media, the Museum's exhibits and programs expand our understanding of women's participation in shaping our nation's history and create a lively environment for dialogue and discovery. Thousands of stories recount public and private triumphs and the struggles of those who would be denied their freedoms in all its forms: political, social, and spiritual.

The Ronya Kozmetsky Institute for the Future offers hands-on educational programming in a 21st Century learning environment. By encouraging and reinforcing abilities, dreams, and potential, young people and adults acquire the resources and competencies to become productive workers, responsible citizens, and successful individuals.

THE VISION AND COMMITMENT
The Women's Museum™ began as the dream of one woman, Cathy Bonner. Her dream became reality with the help of corporations, foundations, governments and individuals across the nation.

THE DREAM
In 1996, Bonner literally had a dream about a place that told the stories of women's accomplishments and contributions to American life and history. Ms. Bonner, long-time president of the Foundation for Women's Resources, didn't just think about her dream. She made it happen.

THE RESOURCES
The Board of the Foundation for Women's Resources committed the original seed money for the museum. AT&T launched the fundraising effort with an unprecedented $10 million challenge gift from the AT&T Foundation. Chairman of the Board and CEO, Edward Whitacre, Jr., made history with this grant, the largest single corporate foundation gift to any women's project or program in the United States. Whitacre offered the gift as a tribute to AT&T's female employees and customers. The Women's Museum™ capital campaign received commitments exceeding $30 million in less than four years.

THE EXPERTISE
The task at hand was clear, but hardly simple - resuscitate a crumbling shell of a turn-of-the-century building and create a cutting-edge museum to effectively showcase women’s history. Candace O’Keefe was appointed Executive Director of the museum and she directed an experienced team of professionals who brought the dream to life.

Renowned architect Wendy Evans Joseph was selected as the museum’s design architect because of her role as senior designer for the Holocaust Memorial Museum, in Washington, D.C. Bonner enlisted Dealey Herndon, partner of Herndon, Stauch & Associates, as project manager. Dallas-based F&S Partners, with architect Anita Moran as project leader, served as architectural firm of record. Whirlwind & Company of New York joined the team to plan, design and produce the 15,000 square feet of museum exhibits.

THE NETWORK
The Women's Museum™ is a testament to the power of a national network of women. The assembled team drew on the resources of women in leadership at the city, state and national level across the United States, including the more than 5,000 graduates of the Foundation’s own programs, Leadership Texas and Leadership America.

THE DREAM COMES TRUE
The Women's Museum™ opened on September 29, 2000. The Museum provides a place where people can honor the past and explore the contributions of women through fun, state-of-the-art interactive exhibits. The Institute shapes the future through innovative and educational programs. With the help of tens of thousands of supporters, contributors, and believers, Cathy Bonner has proven the truth of what Eleanor Roosevelt once said: "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."