On the Basis of Sex: Equal Credit Opportunities

March is Women’s History Month. Visit the National Archives website for resources and virtual events related to women’s history. Today’s post comes from Callie Belback from the National Archives History Office. Today in the United States, anyone above the age of 18 can apply for a credit card or a loan and be considered solely … Continue reading On the Basis of Sex: Equal Credit Opportunities

Historic Staff Spotlight: Kathryn M. Murphy

March is Women’s History Month, and we are marking the occasion with a series on our social media channels that focuses on the achievements of women who have worked at the National Archives over the years. Throughout March these stories will be shared via social media using the hashtag #WomenOfRecord, and you can follow along … Continue reading Historic Staff Spotlight: Kathryn M. Murphy

On the Basis of Sex: Equal Pay

March is Women’s History Month. Visit the National Archives website for resources and virtual events related to women’s history. Today’s post comes from Callie Belback from the National Archives History Office. During World War II, when a large numbers of men went off to war, a labor shortage ensued, which women quickly filled. By 1945, … Continue reading On the Basis of Sex: Equal Pay

Historic Staff Spotlight: Helen Beach

We are taking a look at past staff and their many contributions to the National Archives throughout history. Today’s staff spotlight is on Helen Beach, who worked for the National Archives from 1936 to her retirement in 1965 and developed her own cart, known as the "Beach Wagon."  Frances Helen Beach was born on July … Continue reading Historic Staff Spotlight: Helen Beach

Facial Hair Friday: the Mustache Spoon

Since the origin of our nation, women inventors have contributed innovations large and small to our society. For Women's History Month, today's Facial Hair Friday post features a very specialized invention developed by a woman for use by men. Before modern-day hipsters donned their flamboyant facial hair, large, extravagant mustaches were all the rage in … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: the Mustache Spoon

First Lady of Law: Mabel Walker Willebrandt

March is Women's History Month. Visit the National Archives website for resources and virtual events related to women's history. Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri. When everyone around you is breaking the law, what do you do? For Mabel Walker Willebrandt, the … Continue reading First Lady of Law: Mabel Walker Willebrandt

Taking it to the Stars: Eileen Collins, Space Shuttle Commander

March is both Women’s History Month and Irish American Heritage Month. Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri.  The Irish have had a profound influence on the history of the United States. During Irish-American Heritage Month, communities and cultural organizations across the country … Continue reading Taking it to the Stars: Eileen Collins, Space Shuttle Commander

Facial Hair Friday: Women Soldiers in the U.S. Civil War

It’s Facial Hair Friday, and we’re taking a look at women who fought as soldiers during the U.S. Civil War! Today’s post comes from Rachel Bartgis, conservator technician at the National Archives at College Park, MD. Lt. Harry J. Buford, aka Loreta Janeta Velázquez. (Courtesy of the Library of Congress) While some female soldiers such … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: Women Soldiers in the U.S. Civil War

Mae Jemison: First Black Woman in Space

March is Women’s History Month. Visit the National Archives website for resources related to women’s history. Today's post comes from Dena Lombardo, an intern in the Public and Media Communications office. When the space shuttle Endeavour blasted off on its second mission in 1992, it carried the first African American woman into space. But Mae … Continue reading Mae Jemison: First Black Woman in Space

Teacher, Principal, and Inventor Clarissa Britain

To commemorate National Women’s Inventor’s Month and celebrate women innovators, we are highlighting Civil War–era inventor Clarissa Britain. Britain secured patents for seven inventions within 18 months. Today's post comes from Jen Johnson, curator at the National Archives at Kansas City. Britain's Patent No. 40,157, Improvements in boilers, October 6, 1863. (Records of the Patent and … Continue reading Teacher, Principal, and Inventor Clarissa Britain