National Women's Hall of Fame

Interior of NWHF, in historic mill, in 2022

The National Women's Hall of Fame (NWHF) is an American institution founded to honor and recognize women. It was incorporated in 1969 in Seneca Falls, New York, and first inducted honorees in 1973.^[1]^[2] As of 2024, the Hall has honored 312 inductees.^[3]^[4]^[5]

Inductees are nominated by members of the public and selected by a panel of judges on the basis of the changes attributed to the honoree, that affect the social, economic or cultural aspects of society; the significant national or global impact; as well as, the enduring value of their achievements.^[6] Induction ceremonies are held every odd- numbered year in the fall, with the names of the women to be honored announced earlier in the spring, usually during March, Women's History Month.^[7]^[8]

The NWHF is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit organization funded by philanthropy, admissions, and other income.^[3] In July 2021, Jennifer Gabriel was named executive director.^[9]

Location

The National Women's Hall of Fame was hosted by Eisenhower College until 1979/1980, when the organization rented out a historic bank building in the Seneca Falls Historic District. The historic bank was renovated to house the NWHF's permanent exhibit, historical artifacts, and offices.^[10] In August 2020, the National Women's Hall of Fame opened its door to the third and final^{[citation needed]} home: the historic Seneca Knitting Mill, which resides across the canal of the Women's Rights National Historical Park which includes the Wesleyan Chapel where the 1848 women's rights convention took place, an event that kickstarted the women's suffrage movement in America.^[11]^[1] This renovation and move into the historic Seneca Knitting Mill took several years to accomplish.

In 2014, the organization's board undertook a $20 million capital campaign to fund the development of the 1844 Seneca Knitting Mill, which is associated with the abolitionist movement and with the birthplace of women's rights.^[11] The move and completion of Phase 1 doubled the size of the National Women's Hall of Fame. As of 2021^[update] campaigning for Phase 2: an elevator, additional staircase, and other renovations was underway. Once the Homecoming Campaign is complete, the historic Seneca Knitting Mill will quadruple the available space to 16,000 square feet (1,500 m²), including exhibit space, offices, and meeting space for conferences, wedding receptions, and community events.^[11]