Women have always been leaders in the field of public health. Today, they comprise 76% of all healthcare workers in the United States. They serve as caretakers, doctors, administrators, researchers, and innovators. They research diseases, nurse patients, administer medicines, steward records, invent new technologies, and more. The Smithsonian’s extensive collections evidence a long and strong historical record of these contributions. They include a plethora of materials, ranging from tools of the trade and professional attire to memorial images, sheet music, and calls to action. Through these collections, we research, remember, and honor the important ways that women contribute to the field of public health.
