Suffrage100MA Launches the Massachusetts Women's History Center

Today in Women’s History Month, Suffrage100MA officially launches its new website, MAWomensHistory.org, and becomes the (virtual at first) Massachusetts Women’s History Center (MWHC) with its flagship program, the Massachusetts Women’s Hall of Fame (MWHOF)! Since 2010, Suffrage100MA has commemorated the intersectional voting history of women. The new MWHC will build on the work of Suffrage100MA, and expand to share inspiring historical and educational stories about the important contributions and challenges of Massachusetts women of all backgrounds. The MWHOF will honor Massachusetts women past and present. 

The new MAWomensHistory.org features exhibits, articles, biographies and more! There are two curated exhibits: one on the  Massachusetts women’s fight for equal pay - dating back to 1834 - and the other on the MA women’s suffrage movement; articles on reproductive rights activism and the history of Our Bodies, Ourselves; and biographies of monumental activists over the past two hundred years, from Elizabeth Freeman to Caroline Chang. The website is free and accessible to the public! 

“We’re proud to mark Women’s History Month with the launch of the Massachusetts Women’s History Center with its flagship program, the Massachusetts Women’s Hall of Fame,” says Fredie Kay, Massachusetts Women’s History Center Founder and President. “In this exciting new venture for our organization, we are working with curators, scholars and community members to create immersive and accessible exhibits that tell meaningful, authentic stories of the diverse, complicated and fascinating histories of Massachusetts women. And, of course, we hope the MWHC inspires citizens to vote and young people to become civically active!”

The Massachusetts Women’s Hall of Fame will honor women in the Commonwealth, past and present, who made/are making an impact and whose efforts are wonderfully inspiring. The Hall of Fame is currently in development, with an exceptional Nominating Committee convening soon. The Nominating Committee will create and finalize the nominee eligibility guidelines and selection process, work with MWHC staff to solicit nominations, and select nominees for the first class of inductees into the Massachusetts Women’s Hall of Fame.

“Massachusetts women, past and present, who have made significant contributions to our communities, will at last be recognized!” says Linda Whitlock, Commissioner, President’s Commission on White House Fellowships and MWHOF Nominating Committee member. “The Massachusetts Women’s Hall of Fame will draw attention to women whose struggles to break barriers were profound; whose victories - at times incremental, at times sudden - improved our world.  We will proudly honor women whose impacts are already well-known AND those whose legacies will be uncovered and amplified." 

The MWHC has more than 200 Massachusetts Partners that amplify women’s history. For more information, or to become a Partner, visit MAWomensHistory.org.