National Postal Museum Celebrates Women's History Month with a Women's Featured Collection
The Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum presents the new featured collection “Women on Stamps: Part I” on the award-winning Web site, Arago, in honor of Women’s History Month. Since 1893, when the image of a woman first appeared on a U.S. postage stamp, the United States has honored women for their many achievements. More than 200 stamps represent women, from politicians and social activists to educators and artists to businesswomen and performers.
“Women on Stamps: Part I” is the first in a series of four featured collections to highlight the accomplishments of these women. The collection describes the influence and achievements of several prominent First Ladies, such as Martha Washington, Abigail Adams and Dolley Madison, as well as the valiant efforts of native women and colonists in the developing nation, including Pocahontas and Molly Pitcher. The fortitude of abolitionists and suffragists in the fight for equal rights is portrayed; their efforts eventually culminated in the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote.
Arago is dedicated to the online presentation of the museum’s vast collections. Stunning high-resolution images and associated stories are presented by curators, expert volunteer researchers, museum staff and guest writers. The virtual museum never closes, offering people around the world access to thousands of objects and online exhibits featuring philatelic and postal history treasures. Visit it at www.arago.si.edu.
The National Postal Museum is devoted to presenting the colorful and engaging history of the nation’s mail service and showcasing the largest and most comprehensive collection of stamps and philatelic material in the world. It is located at 2 Massachusetts Avenue N.E., Washington, D.C., across from Union Station. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (closed Dec. 25). For more information about the Smithsonian, please call (202) 633-1000 or TTY (202) 633-5285. Visit the museum Web site at www.postalmuseum.si.edu.
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