Women Breaking Barriers in Northeastern North Carolina

The year 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in America. As institutions across our country commemorate this event, the museum has embraced the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources' initiative “She Changed the World.” In our related exhibition, we focus on women of northeastern North Carolina and how their experiences, stories, and challenges have factored in history.

Women have played and always will play an integral part in every aspect of history. By advocating for what they believe and envisioning a different world, these women leave remarkable stories of adversity and hope, with grit, determination, perseverance, and talent that changed the world.

Come explore this exhibit, read the stories, and ponder on how the barriers that these women broke, or helped break, in areas such as women’s suffrage, public service, literature, journalism, activism, religion, entertainment, and more, affect your life today. Some women may not have been the first to break a barrier but played a role in a larger movement that affected the people of our nation. Sometimes a single person standing up for what they believe is right can influence others to make an even bigger difference.

A special component to this exhibition includes artwork by regional high school students. Students in grades 9 through 12 participating in the contest were provided a list of women who made a difference in their county.  The students studied the women and produced artwork showing how they were inspired to recognize women who made a difference in their county.  An overall winner from each county was selected.  Out of the overall county winners an overall winner was selected.  This special component was supported by a grant through The Elizabeth City Foundation.