Art, Culture & Education

Women have played a major role in shaping American arts and education. They became teachers, writers, principals, sculptors, painters, students, and more. Despite their marginalization from higher-education and other opportunities (such as apprenticeships), many women sought out opportunities to learn and express themselves.

Black, Indigenous, Latina, Asian, Native Hawaiian, Native Alaskan, and other women from historically marginalized communities fought even harder for access to resources. In southern states before the Civil War, for example, it was illegal for enslaved people to learn to read and write. African Americans continued to fight for equal access to education through the 19th and into the 20th century. These women’s stories speak to the struggle for access to these social institutions. Discover some of their stories here.