Women’s History — inspiring open collections

Women’s contributions are often overlooked by mainstream history. Explore this selection of women’s history cultural heritage collections from across the world. Use them to create your own stories and help close the gap.

1. Images of African American Women Changemakers from the Library of Congress

Civil rights march on Washington, D.C, Leffler, Warren K., Library of Congress, No known restrictions

2. Artworks by Scandinavian women artists from the collection of Nationalmuseum, Sweden on Europeana

The Danish Artist Bertha Wegmann Painting a Portrait, Jeanna Bauck, Nationalmuseum, Sweden, public domain

3. Books and documents from Biblioteca Feminaria in Argentina

Mujeres Historia Americana, Victor Blomberg, Biblioteca Feminaria, public domain

4. Photographs of women in science from Queensland State Archives

Milk samples, Otto Madsen Dairy Research Laboratory, Hamilton, Queensland State Archives, public domain

5. Artwork by women artists from across the world from the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art

After the Bath, Mary Cassatt, The Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0

6. Photographs of women in war from the Austrian National Library on Europeana

Training school for female military assistants: typing class, Austrian National Library, public domain

7. Fashion designs, photographs, painting and illustrations by female artists from Wien Museum

Tourism poster for Sistiana, Stefanie Glax, Museum Wien, CC0

8. Illustrations and documents about women suffrage from the International Institute of Social History on Europeana

De Nederlandsche Type-juffrouw, Johan Braakensiek, International Institute of Social History, public domain

9. Women’s history-themed photos from the Library of Congress

Part of the cowling for one of the motors for a B-25 bomber is assembled in the engine department North American [Aviation, Inc.]’s Inglewood, Calif., plant, Alfred T. Palmer, Library of Congress, No known restrictions

10. Cyanotypes by Anna Atkins from the collection of Rijksmuseum on Europeana

Ptilota plumosa; Seaweed, Rijksmuseum via Europeana

We hope this content will inspire you to create your own story about women’s contributions to science, art and society. Submit it for our creative competition, receive feedback from the professional jury and the audience, win prizes!

Do you know other interesting openly licensed women’s history collections? Let us know in the comments!