Michigan female leaders step up to help create new Smithsonian museum

Ever thought the stories of your mothers, grandmothers or female co-workers and friends made an impact that might interest others?

If so, and you happen to feel like sharing, the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum wants to hear from you as it gears up to build its first museum dedicated to American women.

The museum is inviting people to submit a brief video or digital story of a woman who has made an impact as part of its recently launched story-gathering campaign, which is a precursor for its new museum about women, which will eventually come to life at the National Mall in Washington D.C.

The venerable 175-year-old Smithsonian has 21 museums and nine research centers — but none dedicated to women.

“The mission of the Smithsonian is to advance knowledge and to share that knowledge and inspire people, not only about the past, but about the future,” said Elizabeth Babcock, hired June 3 as the inaugural director of the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum.

Babcock spoke about the new museum at Inforum’s 62nd annual meeting, “Becoming Visible: The Importance of Women’s Stories,” June 20 at the Troy Marriott.

Museum leaders put out the call for video and digital stories in March and have a few hundred submissions so far, she said.

Babcock is helping define the museum’s programing, digital engagement, collections and collaboration priorities, as well as contributing to the design and plans for the physical museum, which she thinks will take about a decade.

“In my first month, I have been inspired by the work of this new museum to expand the story of America through the often untold accounts and accomplishments of women — individually and collectively — to better understand our past and inspire our future,” Babcock told me.

The lack of museums focusing on women is sadly part of a broader trend. “There are 35,000 museums across the United States but the International Association of Women’s Museums records only a few dozen museums focused on women in the U.S.,” Babcock said.

There had been a drumbeat in Washington to add a women’s museum for years. The legislation creating the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum was passed by Congress on Dec. 27, 2020.

Jane Abraham, wife of former U.S. Sen. Spencer Abraham, is co-chair of the museum’s advisory council and co-chair of the museum’s Women Making History network of regional committees in Michigan and other states, along with fashion designer Tory Burch.

In Michigan, incoming CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Tricia Keith, former GM executive Vivian Pickard, DTE’s JoAnn Chavez, Colleen Ocha Peters, wife of U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, political strategist Jill Alper and consultant Anne Mervenne are a few names of those involved on the regional committee, tasked with fundraising and helping get the word out about the museum.

“Throughout history, women have influenced the trajectory of humanity,” said Telva McGruder, executive director of Global Manufacturing at GM, who also appeared at Inforum’s event, moderating a panel. GM is a donor to the Smithsonian Institution.

‘‘Many times, whether women were at the center of new innovation, social change, or influencing societal norms, their contributions were not appropriately recognized or valued,” McGruder said. “I am excited that the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum is curating the history of American women in creative and substantial ways and that people of all ages from around the world will have the opportunity to have a more thorough understanding of American history."

Terry Barclay, president and CEO of Inforum, added, "In Michigan, we have so many stories of how women in our state have changed the world, from the music of Motown to the transformation of the automotive industry and so much more. These stories have the power to inspire conversation, connection and positive change, especially for future generations of women and girls finding their way in the world."

Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, president of Oakland University who is on the committee, said, “It’s thrilling that the Smithsonian is recognizing the important role that women have played in every aspect of American history where they have impacted the founding of our country, participated in the liberation of slaves, ensured that they themselves received the right to vote, made major scientific discoveries and have played top leadership roles in government, academia and business.”

Sonia Hassan Duggan, wife of Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, also a committee member, added: “It’s a crucial addition to our cultural landscape, aiming to address the stark underrepresentation of women in historical narratives. By acknowledging and celebrating the lives, work and stories of women, this impactful initiative will underscore the substantial contributions of women from all walks of life. We look forward to helping to highlight the lives of the incredible women of Detroit and Michigan."

Babcock said legislation that created the museum calls for a partnership of federal and private funding to support the museum. ‘‘We have raised over $65 million already and are thankful to have the support of many founding donors and charter members among other individuals, foundations and organizations so far.”

Babcock is confident as she continues to raise money for the museum as its message and impact on our nation is vital: “This points to the need for a museum focused on women’s stories so that both men and women, boys and girls can learn more about the 51% of us whose stories haven’t been told. This is a critical step for a more inclusive representation of American history and an opportunity to dramatically increase opportunities for women and girls."

For more on the museum’s story campaign: https://womenshistory.si.edu/story .

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Contact Carol Cain: 248-355-7126 or clcain@cbs.com . She is senior producer/host of “Michigan Matters,” which airs 5:30 a.m. Sundays on CBS Detroit and noon Sundays on Detroit 50 WKBD. See Jim Holcomb, Chris Holman, Wafa Dinaro, Crystal Gunn and Martin Manna on this Sunday’s show. You can also watch on Fubu, Pluto TV, YoutubeTV, Apple TV, on those two stations listings, too.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan female leaders step up to help create new Smithsonian museum