The National Women’s History Museum, an online museum dedicated to women’s history, has named Frédérique Irwin as its new president and CEO.
Founded in 1996, the National Women’s History Museum is a leader in women’s history education and brings to life the untold stories of women throughout history.
“Now is the time to bring more stories of local women’s history, tied to the national narrative, to communities around the country,” said Irwin.
Irwin, who has more than 25 years’ experience, has served as the managing director of impact strategy at the Sorenson Impact Center since 2021.
Frédérique Irwin to lead online museum
She was also the founder and CEO of Her Corner, a company educating women on how to scale their businesses. She expanded the company across multiple US cities.
“I am thrilled that Frédérique is joining the National Women’s History Museum at this dynamic time,” said Susan Whiting, the museum’s board chair.
“She is a proven leader with the CEO experience and the vision to help us bring to life the remarkable role women have played in the American story.”
The museum’s inaugural in-person exhibition, ‘We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC’, opened in March at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. It is free to the public and available through September 2024.
The exhibition, Irwin said, is “the first of what I believe will be key partnerships with libraries and cultural institutions across the country”.
Irwin has plans to “bring to life the museum’s vision to inspire women, girls, and all people with past and current stories of women in their own communities who have forged paths before them”.
Last month, the museum hosted its Women Making History Awards in Washington, DC. Meryl Streep and Viola Davis served as the event’s honorary co-chairs.
The National Women’s History Museum reaches more than four million visitors every year through its online content and educational programming.
Meanwhile, Nancy Yao has been appointed as the inaugural director of the new Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum.
Images: National Women’s History Museum
