Ways to Explore Women's History in Nashville

Get to know the history behind the women of Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery with a 45-minute guided tour. This thought-provoking tour runs from March through May and provides an in-depth look at the lives of these resilient, strong, and triumphant women who played a pivotal role in the history at Belle Meade.

The Hermitage Hotel played a significant role in the history of women's suffrage. In August 1920, the hotel became the headquarters for pro-suffrage activists who were lobbying Tennessee lawmakers to ratify the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guaranteed women the right to vote. The hotel was a central meeting place for the suffragists, who worked tirelessly to persuade legislators to vote in favor of ratification. On August 18, 1920, the Tennessee General Assembly finally voted to ratify the amendment, thanks in part to the efforts of the suffragists who gathered at The Hermitage Hotel. Today, the hotel stands as a symbol of the vital role that women played in the fight for suffrage and equal rights.

Nashville's history expertise and roots in the city going back nine generations make it possible for Nashville History On Tour to craft classic and custom tours that inform and delight. Join David Ewing, a Women’s Suffrage Movement expert, on a tour that features Susan B. Anthony’s 1897 visit, the 1914 Woman's Suffrage Convention, and how women passed the amendment by one vote. You'll explore the Hermitage Hotel, visit the Downtown Library's Votes for Women room, and see David's great-great-grandmother's voter registration cards.

The Votes for Women Room is a permanent exhibit located on the 2nd floor inside the Nashville Room at the Nashville Public Library. This exhibit commemorates the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment. It aims to explore democracy, political movements, and women's societal role through a collection of videos, interactive exhibits, a timeline, and interpretative panels. Visitors can trace historic moments in American women's history and learn about Tennessee's pivotal role in the ratification of the 19th Amendment.

Alan LeQuire, a renowned local artist, created a set of sculptures in tribute to the women's suffrage movement in Nashville. The sculptures were unveiled in August 2016, just before the 96th anniversary of the 19th Amendment's ratification. The statues depict five women who were instrumental in the suffrage movement in Tennessee, including Anne Dallas Dudley, Abby Crawford Milton, J. Frankie Pierce, Sue Shelton White, and Carrie Chapman Catt. The sculptures are located in Centennial Park, just down the road from the Tennessee State Capitol, where the final vote for the 19th Amendment took place. The sculptures are a beautiful reminder of these women's bravery and determination and the hard-fought battle for women's right to vote.

Lula C. Naff was a remarkable woman who played a pivotal role in the success of the Ryman Auditorium. She was the first woman to manage a professional theater in the United States. Under her leadership, the Ryman became one of the country's most popular and prestigious venues. Naff's vision and tireless work ethic helped to transform the Ryman into a premier venue for various events, including concerts, plays, and lectures. She was instrumental in bringing the Grand Ole Opry to the Ryman, which helped to cement its reputation as a hub of country music. Naff's efforts also attracted a diverse range of famous entertainers, from Katharine Hepburn to Harry Houdini. Her legacy as a pioneering businesswoman and cultural trailblazer continues to inspire people worldwide.

Have you ever heard of Nashville's Song Suffragettes? They are a group of talented female singer-songwriters who perform a weekly writer's round every Monday night at The Listening Room Cafe. The group was created in 2014 to give female artists a platform to showcase their music and empower them in a male-dominated industry. A rotating cast of five women takes the stage to perform their original songs and share their stories with a new audience each week. It's a fantastic opportunity to discover new talent and support women in music. The Song Suffragettes have become integral to Nashville's music scene and are inspiring a new generation of female artists.

Touring the permanent exhibitions at the Tennessee State Museum provides visitors with insightful glimpses into the struggles and accomplishments of women throughout the state's history. Starting with the Forging a Nation Gallery, visitors can learn the stories of women like Martha Clingnan, a Cherokee farmer, Sarah Childress Polk, the First Lady, and Jenny Blow Washington, an enslaved woman from Robertson County. The Civil War and Reconstruction Gallery documents the lives of women during this crucial time in both the state's and the nation's history. In the Change and Challenge Gallery, visitors can view artifacts such as a women’s suffrage banner while learning about the crucial roles played by Tennesseans in the ratification of the 19th Amendment that granted women throughout the country the right to vote. The Tennessee Transforms Gallery showcases the changing lives of women from 1945 to the present, including artifacts related to music artists such as Dolly Parton and Tina Turner and NASA astronaut Dr. Margaret Rhea Seddon.

Nashville boasts a series of murals called "Walls for Women" that showcase and celebrate creativity and artistic expression by women. These stunning murals throughout Tennessee, created by notable artists such as Cymone Wilder and Sarah Painter, showcase a different perspective and style as diverse as the women they celebrate. Whether you prefer bold, abstract designs or intricate, detailed portraits, the "Walls for Women" murals offer a testament to the power and creativity of women. For art lovers and those who want to celebrate women, exploring these murals throughout Nashville is an excellent way to experience the state's rich cultural heritage.