Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Receives $1 Million Gift From Swiss Re

The Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum has received a $1 million gift from Swiss Re, a risk-management company, to support the development of the museum. The donation marks the museum’s first corporate contribution and establishes the global insurance company as a founding donor. 

“The history of American women is vital to a comprehensive understanding of who we are as a nation,” said Lisa Sasaki, interim director of the museum. “We are excited to have Swiss Re as our first corporate founding donor and appreciate their support of the museum as we lift up the told and untold stories of women who helped shape our country, society and culture.”  

The legislation creating the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum passed in December 2020. The Swiss Re donation will support the initial planning of the museum’s building and enable the museum to produce programming and digital content to elevate wide-ranging stories of women throughout American history. 

“Swiss Re is proud to be the first corporate founding donor of the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum,” said Jonathan Isherwood, regional president for Swiss Re in the Americas. “Its mission aligns with our values, and we are happy to be a part of something much bigger that will help amplify the contributions and accomplishments of women in American history.”

Swiss Re has provided support to the Smithsonian since 2016, including the Smithsonian Corporate Membership Program and Smithsonian Earth Optimism.

About the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum

The Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum advances the understanding of women’s contributions to various fields throughout history that have influenced the direction of the United States. The museum collaborates with other museums and educational institutions to expand scholarly research, public programs, digital content, collections and more to recognize diverse perspectives on women’s history and contributions. The legislation creating the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum passed Dec. 27, 2020. Connect with the museum at womenshistory.si.edu. 

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