International
Federation For Research in Women's History
Federation Internationale Pour La Recherche En Histoire Des Femmes
The
International Museum of Women, a new educational and cultural facility scheduled
to open in San Francisco in 2005, will be the first museum to bring to life
the histories and experiences of women and girls around the world. The Museum
is reaching out to gender studies scholars worldwide, because an international
women's history museum would be an impossible undertaking - indeed, unimaginable
-- without the groundbreaking, multi-disciplinary scholarship that now exists.
Part of what makes the International Museum of Women (IMOW) an exciting challenge
is the opportunity to showcase to a broad and diverse public the accomplishments
in gender studies and of global women's movements. A visit to the IMOW may
be the first feminist consciousness-raising experience for many men, women
and children who will pass through our doors. Our challenge is to impart an
understanding of how gender is socially constructed to the ordinary museum
goer in 1 ½ hours, the average length of a visit -- to distil feminist concepts
for public consumption, while maintaining scholarly integrity.
Although the physical space of the IMOW is based in the United States, the
content and point of view to be presented will not be U.S.-centric. The international
focus of the Museum provides an opportunity to reflect the richness and diversity
of women's lives and to encourage visitors to move beyond the old debates
and cliches that seem to permeate current media representations of women and
gender studies. Museum visitors will not only learn about the varied and too
often untold histories of women's struggles, accomplishments, and daily lives,
but will also encounter critical questions about gender, ethnicity, class,
culture, religion, identity, and history itself. Internet access to a "virtual"
museum will make the events and exhibition content of the IMOW accessible
to individuals and classrooms worldwide.
Exhibitions will be supported by a computer learning center, library, educational
resource center, and audio/visual theaters so that visitors -- whether they
be academics, teachers, students, or parents and families -- can explore subjects
more deeply in an array of venues. The Museum hopes that its resources will
contribute to the development of future gender studies curricula for use in
secondary and middle schools. And in the world of academia, we envision our
exhibitions, events, and collections fostering research and providing opportunities
for connection with a global community. In fact, we look forward to building
relationships with archives and collections around the world to explore avenues
of cooperation and technical support.
The IMOW, in the early stages of our development, welcomes your suggestions
and assistance. We also invite you to help us build international representation
and involve women's studies scholars from all backgrounds and regions. To
transform the visionary concept of an international women's history museum
into a reality, the International Museum of Women will need the support of
a truly global community of scholars, museum exhibition designers, artists,
educators, and activists.
We hope that this introduction and future contact will spark productive dialogue
among you and your colleagues about the IMOW. We look forward to learning
about your work and reporting on museum developments. So please contact us!
Lend your voice and expertise to this collaborative project. Visit our web
site (www.imow.org), where you will find
more information about the IMOW's mission, membership application, and upcoming
IMOW events. Or contact the Museum at info@imow.org.
By Elizabeth L. Colton, President of the Board, International Museum of
Women
There will be a special meeting to discuss this project at the Oslo conference