The Academy Award-winning actress has donated a seven-figure sum to the National Women’s History Museum (NWHM), a digital-first institution dedicated to raising awareness of women’s contributions. The donation will fund storytelling projects and expand the museum’s innovative online programming, ensuring that women’s histories are fully recognised, taught and remembered.
The Meryl Streep Educator Award
To mark Streep’s incredible donation, the NWHM has set up the Meryl Streep Educator Award. This yearly prize honours exceptional teachers who encourage the study of women’s history in schools and communities all over the country. The inaugural recipient will be celebrated at the museum’s Women Making History Awards Gala in November 2026.
A landmark gift supporting women’s stories
Meryl Streep has been one of the museum’s earliest and most steadfast supporters, reflecting her belief in amplifying women’s voices and shaping a more equitable future through history. “History is shaped not only by those who make it, but by those who ensure it is remembered,” she said, emphasising the importance of preserving women’s stories for future generations.
Since its foundation in 1996, the NWHM has hosted online exhibitions, in-person events and digital initiatives, while also playing a pivotal role in establishing the forthcoming Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum. Streep’s contribution will further expand the museum’s digital storytelling, reaching audiences everywhere and inspiring a new generation to engage with women’s history.
