Photo: Hannele Lahti
The Smithsonian is going big in honor ofWomen’s History Month.
During Friday’s episode of theTodayshow, the famous museum debuted its new#IfThenSheCan — The Exhibit, celebrating more than 100 women who have made an impact in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields.
In Washington, D.C., 120 life-size, 3D-printed statues of female trailblazers are scattered across the Smithsonian Gardens, making it the “largest collection of statues of women ever assembled,” according to areleasefrom the museum.
Each statue is paired with a QR code for visitors to learn about each woman featured.
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Hannele Lahti
Nicole Small, CEO of Lyda Hill Philanthropies, the organization that teamed up with the Smithsonian to produce the exhibit, said there was a desire to create something for young girls and women to see as inspiration.
“When our families and our kids are walking around looking at the people that are held up as role models, they’re not seeing anyone that looks like them, and we knew we wanted to fix that problem,” she toldToday.
One of the dozens of women honored in the historic exhibit isRae Wynn-Grant, a wildlife ecologist andNational Geographic explorerworking to save endangered species.
As her statue was unveiled for the first time during Friday’s show, Wynn-Grant said that sharing the experience with her young daughter drove home the magnitude of her contributions.
“The depth of the honor is shocking,” Wynn-Grant told the outlet. “In the best way possible, it’s the deepest honor. It’s beyond money or fame. There is this symbolism and reverence that is indescribable.”
The#IfThenSheCanexhibit will make its debut to the public on March 5 and wrap up on March 27.
“Starting March 7, select statues will spread out to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and the National Air and Space Museum along the National Mall through the end of the month,” the institution said.
“An array of other #WomensFuturesMonth in-person and virtual events throughout the month will bring to life inspirational stories of women making a difference in their fields,” they added.
source: people.com
