Founding Mothers take center stage this Women’s History Month in Philadelphia, the City of Sisterly Love. Through programs and exhibitions at historic sites, museums and attractions throughout the region, visitors can meet artists, activists, authors and “badasses” from the 18th through 21st centuries who have pushed society forward.
Programming centers around The Justice Bell, whose clapper was to be chained to its side until women were fully enfranchised; historic heroines Ida B. Wells, Alice Paul and Ona Judge; and the year-long commemoration of the 19th Amendment, which gave many, but not all, American women the right to vote a century ago in 1920.
Here’s a look at how Philadelphia is celebrating women and where visitors — moms and daughters, sisters and girlfriends — can stay to feel truly empowered by some legendary ladies:
Historic Icons:
- Women of Change, Women of Protest, Liberty Bell Center – This image-rich exhibition looks at the lives of suffragists Alice Paul, Ida B. Wells and others who pushed for gender equality and voting rights. Don’t miss photos of the Justice Bell, which was created in the likeness of the Liberty Bell to symbolize women’s fight for rights. Through March 31, 2021.
- Betsy Ross House – The only site in Philadelphia dedicated solely to telling the stories of women begins the month with Once Upon A Nation storytellers recalling the struggles and triumphs of women throughout history. March 7 & 14, 2021. Later, reenactors provide a closer look at the lives of suffragette Alice Paul (March 21, 2021) and abolitionist Frances Harper (March 28, 2021). And the festivities end with a Women’s History Month edition of its after-hours event. Tipsy History: The Little Rebel is a deep dive into Betsy Ross’ eventful life, followed by a happy hour at nearby Art in the Age. March 25-27, 2021. Plus, the house and courtyard are open for tours Friday through Monday all month long.
- Justice Bell, Valley Forge National Historical Park – This 2,000-pound likeness of the Liberty Bell toured Pennsylvania in 1915 ahead of the state referendum on women’s suffrage to connect the cause to the struggle of the Founding Fathers. The bell’s clapper was tied, with the notion that the bell would not ring until women could vote. The referendum failed, but as a result, the Justice Bell, on view in Valley Forge’s Washington Memorial Chapel, became a national symbol for women continuing the fight for voting rights. Ongoing.
Exhibitions:
- Raising Their Voices for Women’s Suffrage, Independence Visitor Center – These photo panels created by the National Park Service explore the rallies, protests and celebrations that took place on Philadelphia’s Independence Square, the heart of the women’s suffrage movement. Through March 31, 2021.
- When Women Lost the Vote: A Revolutionary Story, 1776-1807, Museum of the American Revolution – Spring is the last chance for visitors to see this groundbreaking special exhibition, which explores the little-known story of women and free people of color legally voting in New Jersey in the Revolutionary era — and how that right was stripped away in 1807. Special programs allow visitors to uncover the secrets of a Revolutionary War spy, get an 18th-century stitching lesson and hear a world premiere musical composition inspired by Abigail Adams’ famous Remember the Ladies letter. Through April 25, 2021.
- Taking Space: Contemporary Women Artists and the Politics of Scale, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts – An exhibit that examines how women artists create space for themselves in their work and for their work, Taking Space features pieces from more than 50 creators and is the first of three exhibits this year celebrating women artists and the anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment. The exhibition is complemented by discussions on public spaces, feminist housing and gender mainstreaming movements. Through September 5, 2021.
- The 19th Amendment: How Women Won the Vote, National Constitution Center – The Constitution Center presents a slate of educational programs in support of its The 19th Amendment exhibit, presenting nearly 100 artifacts of the suffrage movement. Among the items: a printing of the Declaration of Sentiments from the first women’s convention at Seneca Falls, a ballot box used to collect women’s votes in the late 1800s and Pennsylvania’s ratification copy of the 19th Amendment. Ongoing.
Tours & Trails:
- Badass Women’s History Tour of Philadelphia – This Beyond the Bell tour focuses on accomplished and trailblazing women in Philadelphia history. Among them: Hanna Callowhill Penn, who prevented a war between Pennsylvania and Maryland; and Ona Judge, who escaped slavery from President George Washington. Tours cover women across generations, including Nizah Morris, a Philadelphia transgender entertainer and advocate for gender-variant sex workers. Ongoing.
- Women’s History Trail – Women have played a pivotal role in Philadelphia since the city’s — and the nation’s — founding. Throughout the Philadelphia region, museums, statues, preserved buildings and cemeteries pay homage to some of the most notable and game-changing women in the city’s history. Visitors can use visitphilly.com’s guide to the sites honoring these game-changing women as the basis of a self-guided tour. Ongoing.
Hotels:
- Akwaaba Bed & Breakfast – Monique Greenwood turned a lovely 1879 mansion in West Philly’s charming Powelton Village neighborhood into an intimate, elegant bed-and-breakfast. Each of the six suites is inspired by Philly musicians, two of whom are women: Jill Scott and Patti La Belle. In “Like It’s Golden,” the Scott-inspired room, guests enjoy a sun-drenched oasis with plenty of gold accents, two queen beds and a bathroom made for pampering. And in LaBelle’s “Itchi Gitchi Ya Ya” room, there are feathers, an African juju headdress that serves as wall art and, of course, a bed fit for a queen.
- Cornerstone Bed & Breakfast – Outside of this boutique University City bed-and breakfast is a plaque that honors Mary Sellers Bancroft, a Quaker widow who was the grandmother of celebrated American painter Maxfield Parrish and the great niece of famed Revolution-era portrait artist Charles Wilson Peale. The civic-minded Sellers was one of the founders of the West Philadelphia Hospital for Women and a member of the New Century Guild for working women.
- The Logan, Philadelphia’s Hotel – Graphic artist Elizabeth LaGumina offers glamorous glimpses of the life of Grace Kelly, the Philadelphian who became Princess of the Principality of Monaco, in a series of seven modern portraits that progress from floor to floor, beginning with Kelly as a young woman, ending with her in adulthood. The works are part of The Logan’s impressive, property-wide exhibition of artworks by Philadelphians.
- Coming Soon: Guild House Hotel – In mid-April on the heels of Women’s History Month comes the grand opening of a boutique property in a National Historic Landmark building that belonged to — and will honor — a 19th-century working women’s advocacy and support group known as the New Century Guild. The rooms and suites — 12 in total — in the Midtown Village hotel are named after members of the Guild, which included notable abolitionists, suffragists, activists, poets and artists. Among them: Eliza Sproat Turner, a teacher, writer and New Century Guild founder; Florence Kelley, a founding member of the NAACP; and Emily Sartain, artist and director of the Philadelphia School of Design for Women (now Moore College of Art and Design). Amenities at the invisible service hotel include luxury bath and body products; specialty coffees, teas and chocolates; and customized itineraries, airport pickup and curated experiences upon request.
Find more Women’s History Month happenings, including those of the virtual variety, here.
VISIT PHILADELPHIA® is our name and our mission. As the region’s official tourism marketing agency, we build Greater Philadelphia’s image, drive visitation and boost the economy.
On Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets. 6th & Market Streets, (800) 537-7676
Note to Editors: For high-resolution photos and high-definition B-roll of Greater Philadelphia, visit the Photos & Video section of visitphilly.com/mediacenter.