Elizabeth C. Babcock has been announced as the founding director of the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum, effective from 3 June.
Babcock currently serves as president and CEO of Forever Balboa Park in San Diego and brings more than 20 years of museum leadership experience to the role.
Located in San Diego, Balboa Park has 1,200 acres of public gardens and cultural venues like the Comic-Con Museum, Mingei International Museum, San Diego Air & Space Museum, and Timken Museum of Art.
Smithsonian secretary Lonnie Bunch said: “Having served as a founding director, I know how this position requires clear vision, leadership and endless enthusiasm to bring history to life. Dr Babcock has all three and so much more.
Previous director Nancy Yao stepped down
“She will use her museum and management expertise to unlock American women’s stories for our nation in ways that we can learn from the past to be inspired for the future.”
Babcock will guide the Smithsonian‘s new museum through a transformative period. She will oversee the acquisition of a founding collection, as well as the curation of exhibitions, and the expansion of digital education resources.
“I am thrilled to lead a museum that tells the spectacular stories of our nation’s women,” Babcock said.
“I look forward to engaging with communities across our great country to identify and celebrate the diverse contributions women and girls have made and continue to make in the fabric of American society. It’s going to be an incredible journey.”
In March 2023, the Smithsonian announced Nancy Yao as the founding director of the American Women’s History Museum in Washington, DC.
However, in July, the Smithsonian said Yao had “withdrawn” from her role “due to family issues that require her attention”.
This followed an investigation by the Washington Post in April 2023 alleging that Yao had mishandled sexual harassment claims in her previous role as president of the Museum of Chinese in America.
Authorised by Congress in late 2020, the American Women’s History Museum has identified two potential locations for the institution. These are currently pending congressional approval.
The museum has raised more than $65.5 million dollars to date. Melanie Adams, director of the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum, has been serving as interim director of the American Women’s History Museum.
Images courtesy of the Smithsonian
