ABOUT

Maryland Women’s Heritage Center (MWHC) reluctantly closed in December, 2025. It was the only organization in the state and one of the few in the country completely devoted to telling and preserving women’s stories of accomplishment, compassion and leadership.  

MWHC’s board of directors, executive director and supporters vowed to use remaining funds and volunteer resources to continue to “add HERstory to history to tell OUR story.” 

This will happen in two ways:

1. This MWHC website with original biographies, research, photographs and archives will remain active and available to all. The goal is to eventually permanently archive this content for future historians and others who champion equity in recorded history. It is supported by volunteer resources and time. 

    

2. The Maryland Women’s History Initiative was established using MWHC remaining funds to support projects that continue its mission to “add HER story to history to tell OUR story.” Projects can take many forms, including writing and research, virtual exhibits, scholarships, art, music, women in STEM and other innovative approaches.
   
   The fund is administered by the Community Foundation of Howard County. Please note that the fund supports statewide projects and reflects the statewide focus of the former MWHC.
   
   Gifts and donations to the Maryland Women’s History Initiative will ensure that MWHC’s mission to recognize, document and celebrate the contribution of Maryland women, past and present endures as a gift to our future generations.  
   

Finally: 

The MWHC is grateful to the scores of volunteers, board members, and community partners who have passionately supported women’s history and gender equity through these years. In recent years, the MWHC was sustained by the unfailing leadership and vision of Executive Director Diana M. Bailey. 

It is our dream that, in the near future, another organization or individual resurrects this mission to “add HERstory to history to tell OUR story.”