Home » News » Celebrate Women’s History Month on the South Shore

March is Women’s History Month, where we recognize and celebrate the contributions of women to our nation’s history, both big and small. The South Shore has been home to numerous women who have impacted American history, and there are exhibits, monuments, and more where you can discover their stories.

The Pilgrim Women Who Settled Plymouth

When the Pilgrims arrived on the shores of Plymouth in 1620, it was the women who played a crucial role in establishing their new home. They faced unimaginable hardships, from harsh winters to food shortages, yet they remained the backbone of the colony. Women like Susanna White, who gave birth to the first English child born in New England, and Mary Brewster, who served as a leader in the community, were essential in shaping the settlement’s survival and success.

Visitors can pay tribute to these early settlers at Plimoth Patuxet Museums in Plymouth, where interactive exhibits and historical reenactments bring the lives of Pilgrim women to light. The museum’s 17th-century English Village provides an immersive experience that showcases how women maintained households, prepared food, and contributed to the colony’s governance. You can also visit Brewster Gardens to see the Pilgrim Maiden statue, built to honor these women. 

Mercy Otis Warren

Sometimes called the “First Lady of the American Revolution,” Mercy Otis Warren was a South Shore native from Barnstable. Warren had little access to education beyond the basics, but she had a great passion for politics and writing. In 1805, she became the first woman to write a comprehensive history of the American Revolution, The American Rise, Progress and Termination of the American Revolution, even publishing it under her own name, thus paving the way for future women authors.

The Mercy Otis Warren statue in Barnstable is a monument to her impact. The statue commemorates her contributions to America’s founding and stands as a tribute to the power of women’s voices in shaping history. 

Women in the Military 

While formal military status for US women didn’t start until 1942, they were major contributors on the homefront and behind the scenes during wars. At Battleship Cove in Fall River the Women Protecting US exhibit highlights the stories of women in the military who have served and protected the nation throughout history. From the early pioneers in the armed forces to modern-day heroes, this permanent exhibit sheds light on the bravery and determination of women in uniform.

Women Protecting US is Southern New England’s first in-depth documentation of women’s military contributions to America. It chronicles how women in the military perform valuable duties, and how women on the home front preserve the fabric of our nation in times of war. Visitors can explore historical artifacts, personal narratives, and multimedia displays that showcase the evolving role of women in the U.S. military.

This Women’s History Month, take a journey through the South Shore and experience the legacy of the women who built, defended, and transformed the nation. Their stories continue to inspire and remind us of the essential role women have played in shaping our history.