Recognizing and Honoring Women's History
The order directs the Secretary of the Interior to assess women's history sites in the National Park System, conduct a series of theme studies on women's contributions, and request advisory board recommendations — all aimed at significantly expanding federal recognition of women's history.
Establishes a structured multi-year process to identify gaps and opportunities in how the federal government commemorates women and girls, with findings shared with the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum to inform future exhibits.
What this order does
What it orders
The order directs the Secretary of the Interior to submit a report to the President within 180 days assessing existing sites of national importance related to women's history and identifying opportunities to highlight women's contributions at those sites. It also directs the Secretary to conduct a broad overview theme study — a formal National Park Service survey of historically significant properties — covering women's roles across major periods and fields of U.S. history, followed by a series of subsequent focused theme studies. The Secretary must also review previously completed theme studies to ensure women's representation and request interim and final recommendations from the National Park System Advisory Board on improving recognition of women's history.
The order does not itself designate any new national monument, national park unit, or National Historic Landmark, and it does not create any enforceable right. Implementation is subject to available appropriations, and the Secretary must consult with the White House Gender Policy Council, the Domestic Policy Council, and the Council on Environmental Quality throughout.
Who it affects
The Department of the Interior and National Park Service are the primary directed actors. The National Park System Advisory Board must produce recommendations. The Smithsonian American Women's History Museum receives theme-study findings. Ultimately, the American public — particularly visitors to federal parks and historic sites — is the intended beneficiary.
Why it matters
Gaps in how the National Park System commemorates women could be formally documented and addressed for the first time, potentially leading to new historic designations and reinterpreted sites. Visitors to federal parks and landmarks may see more exhibits and designations reflecting women's roles in U.S. history over the coming decade.
What must happen and when
How the order is supposed to work
The Secretary of the Interior anchors implementation. A 180-day report to the President starts the process; in parallel, the Secretary launches an overview theme study and requests National Park System Advisory Board recommendations, with interim recommendations due at 270 days and final recommendations at one year. Theme-study findings are then shared with the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum for exhibit planning. The White House Gender Policy Council, Domestic Policy Council, and Council on Environmental Quality serve as consulting bodies. No enforcement mechanism is specified; actual designations or monument changes would require future separate action.
Actions and deadlines
- Submit a report to the President assessing women's history sites of national importance and identifying opportunities to highlight women's history
- Request interim recommendations from the National Park System Advisory Board on improving recognition of women's history across federal parks and programs
- Receive final recommendations from the National Park System Advisory Board on women's history recognition and historic designations
- Conduct an overview theme study on women's history identifying major topics for a series of subsequent theme studies
- Review previously completed theme studies and issue a report ensuring representation of women's history at sites of national importance
- Share overview theme study and subsequent theme study findings with the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum