Because of Her Story Interns Uplifted Women’s History Across Smithsonian

Explore women’s history across the Smithsonian through the eyes of our 2024 Because of Her Story Cohort interns. This paid, eight-week internship program offered students or recent graduates the opportunity to be involved in programs across the Smithsonian—from the National Zoo to the National Postal Museum—to support projects that amplify women’s voices and contributions throughout history to tell a more complete American story. Here are some of the projects they worked on this summer.

Halla Jones

Interned at: National Museum of African American History and Culture

I worked on conducting research for a project about the African American quilting tradition. Quilting has been primarily seen as a "woman's craft," and quilting specifically plays a big role in the history of African American women. African American women have been quilting since enslavement and have found a way to make it their own while using it to preserve their history and stories that they were denied the opportunity to share. My research will provide for a more accurate narrative about African American quilting traditions and its importance to be shown to the public. My favorite part of my internship was the opportunity to learn about African American women's history in such a sacred way. I’ve been able to conduct oral history interviews, speak with elders about their quilts and family history, and grow closer to my culture through the medium of quilting. A lot of the women I have spoken to have never been asked about themselves and their stories, instead they were often solely asked about their quilts. It has been a pleasure to learn about the women and how their quilts came to be.

Amalia Pappa

Interned at: National Postal Museum

My project was to create a gallery cart experience about female letter carriers and their uniforms. The earliest female city letter carrier in the US can be traced back to 1917, but the first official letter carrier uniforms designed for women wasn't produced until 1964. For physically demanding work like letter carrying, a suitable uniform is absolutely essential. The stories of these female letter carriers and their uniforms reveal how uniforms can be used as a tool to discriminate and exclude women from predominantly male workspaces and how women persevered. My favorite part was doing historical research and finding places where women were given a voice to discuss the difficulties of their jobs and express their opinions on uniform changes.

Grace Ellis

Interned at: National Museum of Natural History National Anthropological Archives

I studied the collaboration between female and Indigenous anthropologists at the turn of the twentieth century. My research centered on the stories of Omaha women who contributed to the publications of two influential anthropologists who were affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution. My work highlighted the importance of paying attention to Indigenous women's stories across Smithsonian collections. Learning about Indigenous women's histories requires more than their inclusion in existing narratives of the American past. Native American history offers opportunities for exploring modes of analysis that honor women's agency and historical context. The highlight of my internship experience was interviewing women who worked for the National Anthropological Archives in the past and chatting with the women who work there now. My work would not have been possible without them.

Ella Harris

Interned at: National Museum of African American History and Culture

For my project, I explored the works of African American women photographers in the museum’s collections and created a collection story for the website. Two days a week, I worked at the offsite storage facility rehousing hundreds of these women’s photographs that are currently in collections. I chose to focus my collection story on Sheila Pree Bright's portrait photographs of Black Lives Matter protestors. By reading this collection story, the public can learn about how Black women activists and artists have been fighting for gender-inclusive discussions about anti-Black police brutality in the United States. My favorite part of the internship was examining and interacting with so many incredible historical objects and works of art in the museum's collections.

Tess Harmon

Interned at: Archives Center, National Museum of American History

My project was to digitize Barbara Beirne's photography collections at the Archives Center. Beirne focused her work on social justice issues, which culminated in three major projects: a civil rights photography collection, a photography collection on women in Southern Appalachia, and a collection of photographs of teenage immigrants in the U.S. These collections highlight women's stories and their roles in serving their communities. Soon, her photographs will be available digitally and in person; not only will she receive the acknowledgment she deserves, but her work, and the stories of those she photographed, will be amplified and accessible. I loved getting to form lasting connections and friendships with the other Because Of Her Story interns. Everyone was curious and kind, and I have learned so much from them.

Viviana Stulack

Interned at: Smithsonian American Women's History Museum

I worked on researching ideal accessibility practices in gaming. The Smithsonian can implement gaming to bring in a wider audience to learn about women's history in a new way. This project can become a bridge between museums and other mediums of entertainment so people can enjoy learning. I have been completely transformed by the great influence of those around me. My fellow interns and our mentors have shaped a new worldview and empowered me to continue striving to share important stories to wide audiences.

Eliza Anderson

Interned at: Smithsonian's National Zoological Park and Conservation Biology Institute

I studied the history of women who started working at the zoo as animal keepers and scientists from around 1970 to 1980 and the growth of their careers. My project highlighted women in science and the various careers that exist in the zoo, including practical positions in animal care and research-oriented positions in the lab and out in the field. The result of the project was a video interview with Dr. Katherine Ralls and former primate and panda curator Lisa Stevens. I also created a conceptual plan for panels across the zoological park that showcase the contributions of Ralls and Stevens, and I developed a proposal for other women to be featured as the project grows. My favorite part of the internship was exploring different facets of the museum/zoo field that could apply to my career going forward. I also have been privileged to be able to interview two former National Zoo employees and hear about their stories first-hand through an oral history approach.

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Meredith Herndon | READ MORE

Meredith Herndon is the writer and editor for the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum.