Women's History Sites (U.S. National Park Service)
Encyclopedia
The National Park System is well endowed to commemorate Women’s contributions to American Society. A half dozen national parklands represent America's Women’s heritage as a primary theme. Numerous other sites preserve important contributions by Women to American Society in their programs and preservation activities. Some sites remotely display Women’s contributions to American culture. The National Park System not only preserves the history and contributions of Women. It is also a part of the nations history. Over the years, the National Park Service has reflected the nations social history. Among the women to influnce the course of the National Parks were:
Early Superintendents (not fully inclusive)
Deputy Regional Directors
Regional Directors
Secretary to the Director (not fully inclusive)
Director
Early Superintendents (not fully inclusive)
- Gertrude S. Cooper, Supt. Vanderbilt Mansion NHS, 7/16/40 to 5/31/45;
- Margaret J. Patterson, Supt. Andrew Johnson NHS, Acting Supt. 10/7/42 to 3/3/43; Custodian 3/4/43 to 4/24/43;
- Wilhelmina S. Harris, Supt. Adams National Historic Site, Supt. 11/27/50 to 1/10/70 (retired);
- Carol A. Martin, Supt. Tuzigoot National Monument, 4/26/71 to 8/17/74;
- Kathleen L. Dilonardo, Supt. Fort Caroline N. Memorial, 11/14/71 to 11/23/75;
- Elizabeth Disrude, Supt. Perry's Victory & Interna. Peace Memorial Natl. Monument, 3/1/72 to 4/8/75;
- Doris I. Omundson, Supt. John Muir NHS, 1/21/73 to 5/31/80;
- L. Lorraine Mintzmyer, Supt. Herbert Hoover NHS, 7/8/73 to 8/16/75;
- Marjorie M. Hackett, Supt. Fort Point NHS, 4/14/74 to 3/12/77;
- Ellen Lang, Supt. Sitka NHP, 5/12/74 to 4/30/78;
- Janet Wolf, Supt. Fort Frederica NM, 9/18/74 to 1/25/80;
- Georgia Ellard, Rock Creek Park (1977–1988);
Deputy Regional Directors
- Lorraine Mintzmyer, Southwest Region, appointed by John Cook;
- Mary Bradford, Southwest Region, appointed by John Cook, 1992-post 1993;
- Sandy Walters, National Capital Region, 6/92-post 1993.
Regional Directors
- Lorraine Mintzmyer, Southwest Region. Aug. 12, 1979, Rocky Mountain Region, April 6, 1980, and Mid-Atlantic Region, Oct. 6, 1991, appointed by Director William Whalen in both cases;
- Marie Rust, North Atlantic Region, 1/92 to present, appointed by Director RidenourJames M. RidenourJames Michael Ridenour was the director of the National Park Service. He served as director of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for eight years before becoming NPS director in April 1989. Director Rindenour was not willing to accept additions to the system simply for local economic...
; - B.J. Griffin, Mid-Atlantic Region, 8/8/93 to present, appointed by Director Kennedy.
- Karen Wade, Intermountain Region,
Secretary to the Director (not fully inclusive)
- Isabelle Story (1888–1970) was secretary to Director Steve Mather.
Director
- Fran P. MainellaFran P. MainellaFrances P. Mainella was the 16th Director of the National Park Service of the United States and first woman to hold that position. She was appointed by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2001. She announced her retirement in July 2006 and resigned effective October 15,...
was the first woman director of the National Park Service (the 16th director), named by Secretary of the InteriorUnited States Secretary of the InteriorThe United States Secretary of the Interior is the head of the United States Department of the Interior.The US Department of the Interior should not be confused with the concept of Ministries of the Interior as used in other countries...
Gale NortonGale NortonGale Ann Norton served as the 48th United States Secretary of the Interior from 2001 to 2006 under President George W. Bush...
. - Mary A. BomarMary A. BomarMary Amelia Bomar was the 17th Director of the National Park Service of the United States. Raised in Leicester, England, Bomar became a U.S. citizen in 1977. On September 5, 2006, she was nominated by George W. Bush as the Director of the National Park Service, succeeding Fran P. Mainella...
was appointed the 17th director in 2006. She served through the end of President George W. BushGeorge W. BushGeorge Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
second term.
Park Units
- Clara Barton National Historic SiteClara Barton National Historic SiteThe Clara Barton National Historic Site, which includes the Clara Barton House, was established in 1974 to interpret the life of Clara Barton , an American pioneer teacher, nurse, and humanitarian who was the founder of the American Red Cross. The site is located northwest of Washington D.C...
Glen Echo, Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
) - Clara BartonClara BartonClarissa Harlowe "Clara" Barton was a pioneer American teacher, patent clerk, nurse, and humanitarian. She is best remembered for organizing the American Red Cross.-Youth, education, and family nursing:...
moved into her Glen Echo home February 28, 1897. Vacating the property rented in Washington, D.C. since 1892, at 17th & F Streets NW, required packing and transporting over 30 wagon loads of supplies. As was her habit since founding the American Red CrossAmerican Red CrossThe American Red Cross , also known as the American National Red Cross, is a volunteer-led, humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education inside the United States. It is the designated U.S...
from her residence in Dansville, New York, Clara Barton's home in Glen Echo, Maryland would also house the American Red Cross.
- Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic SiteEleanor Roosevelt National Historic SiteEleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site consists of approximately two miles east of Springwood, the Hyde Park Roosevelt family home.-History:...
(NY) - A few days after Franklin D. RooseveltFranklin D. RooseveltFranklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
died in April 1945, a reporter hailed his widow outside her home and asked for a statement. "The story is over," she replied. True, Eleanor RooseveltEleanor RooseveltAnna Eleanor Roosevelt was the First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945. She supported the New Deal policies of her husband, distant cousin Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and became an advocate for civil rights. After her husband's death in 1945, Roosevelt continued to be an international...
's many years as the most influential First Lady ended suddenly with the death of her husband, but her own story continued for nearly two more decades. Vigorously promoting the humanitarian causes so close to her heart, this unassuming woman earned the title - in the words of President Harry S. TrumanHarry S. TrumanHarry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...
- "First Lady of the World."
- Everglades National ParkEverglades National ParkEverglades National Park is a national park in the U.S. state of Florida that protects the southern 25 percent of the original Everglades. It is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, and is visited on average by one million people each year. It is the third-largest...
(FL) - These opening words from Marjory Stoneman Douglas' immortal book "Everglades: River of Grass" crystallize the uniqueness of the Everglades. These words could also be used to describe Marjory herself, who is as rare and unique as the Everglades she has worked so hard to protect. Her book, The Everglades: River of Grass, published in 1947—the year Everglades National Park was established—has become the definitive description of the natural treasure she fought so hard to protect. After several reprints, the revised edition was published in 1987, to draw attention to the continuing threats—unresolved—to "her river."
- Johnstown Flood National MemorialJohnstown Flood National MemorialJohnstown Flood National Memorial commemorates the approximately 2,200 people who died in the Johnstown Flood of 1889, caused by a break in the South Fork Dam. Clara Barton successfully led the American Red Cross in its first disaster relief effort. The memorial is located at 733 Lake Road near...
(JohnstownJohnstown, PennsylvaniaJohnstown is a city in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, United States, west-southwest of Altoona, Pennsylvania and east of Pittsburgh. The population was 20,978 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Cambria County...
, PA) - Clara Barton, the most recognized women of the fledgling American Red Cross, is one of the interpretive themes for Johnstown Flood National Memorial. Ms. Barton and Red Cross played a role in the relief effort but there were so many people and organizations involved in the successful efforts in rebuild Johnstown. There are so many individual men and women whose lives were impacted by the flood and who also had the strength and courage to rebuild their lives and city. The "Johnstown Flood" story consist of many "untold stories".
- Lowell National Historical ParkLowell National Historical ParkLowell National Historical Park is a National Historical Park of the United States located in Lowell, Massachusetts. Established in 1978 a few years after Lowell Heritage State Park, it is operated by the National Park Service and comprises a group of different sites in and around the city of...
(LowellLowell, MassachusettsLowell is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA. According to the 2010 census, the city's population was 106,519. It is the fourth largest city in the state. Lowell and Cambridge are the county seats of Middlesex County...
, MA) - Posters asking for “young women between the ages of 15 and 35” represent the catalyst for a tremendous social change in 19th century New England. Seen in many small towns, they enticed women to make the choice to come to Lowell, and later Chicopee, Fall River, and others. Job options for a woman in the early 19th century were limited. Young women traveled from as far away as Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont - by horse, carriage, even by foot - leaving home, family, or village for a chance to try something new.
- Maggie L. WalkerMaggie L. WalkerMaggie Lena Walker was an African American teacher and businesswoman. Walker was the first African American female bank president and the first woman to charter a bank in the United States. As a leader, she achieved successes with the vision to make tangible improvements in the way of life for...
NHS (RichmondRichmond, VirginiaRichmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
, VA) - The national historic site commemorates the life of a progressive and talented African American woman. Despite many adversities, she achieved success in the world of business and finance as the first woman in the United States to found and serve as president of a bank.
- Main Interior (Washington, D.C.) – Isabelle Story (1888–1970), Secretary to Director Mather, Acting Director, “editor in Chief”,
- Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic SiteMary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic SiteThe Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site preserves the house of Mary McLeod Bethune, located in Northwest Washington, D.C., at 1318 Vermont Avenue. National Park Service rangers offer tours of the home, and a video is shown about Bethune's life.-External links:* *...
(Washington, D.C.) - The national historic site commemorates the life of Mary McLeod Bethune and the organization she founded, the National Council of Negro Women.
- Sewall-Belmont HouseSewall-Belmont House and MuseumThe Sewall-Belmont House and Museum, located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, D.C., United States, is a historic house and museum of the U.S. women's suffrage and equal-rights movements.It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1974....
NHS (Washington, D.C.)
- Whitman Mission NHS (WA) - Narcissa Prentiss Whitman
- Women's Rights National Historical ParkWomen's Rights National Historical ParkWomen's Rights National Historical Park was established in 1980, and covers a total of 6.83 acres of land in Seneca Falls and nearby Waterloo, New York....
(SenecaSeneca, New YorkSeneca is a town in Ontario County, New York, United States. United States. The population was 2,731 at the 2000 census. The town is named after a group of local natives....
, NY) - The Park commemorates the First Women's Rights Convention and the early leaders of the women's rights movement in the United States.
- Yellowstone National ParkYellowstone National ParkYellowstone National Park, established by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872, is a national park located primarily in the U.S. state of Wyoming, although it also extends into Montana and Idaho...
(Yellowstone, WY, MT, ID) – Herma Albertson Baggley (1896–1981), Park Ranger, Naturalist and author.