Home of Elizabeth MacLean Smith
Elizabeth MacLean Smith (1916-1986) was a renowned sculptor and instructor at Boston’s School of the MFA. She also served as president of the New England Sculptors’ Association
Home of Mary Colbert
Mary Colbert (1890-1982) was a political activist for more than four decades and worked on JFK’s campaign. She helped start the annual Doll Carriage Parade, a tradition that continues till date.
Charlestown Public Library
The Charlestown Public Library, established in 1860, owes much to pioneers like Jane Edwards (1825-1905), Helen Wise (1830-1908), and donor Charlotte Harris (1840-1920).
Monument Square House
Sisters Helen S. Rush (1900-1985) and Mary Sherkanowski (1902-1987) ran a boarding house at 22 Monument Square. They wrote about their adventures in the 1952 book “Rooms to Let”.
US Servicewomen: Grace Hopper & Florence Johnson
Two women contributed to military history in Charlestown: Rear Admiral Grace Hopper (1906-1992), a leader in computer science, and Florence Johnston (1923-2014), who served in WWII.
City Square Park
Zipporah, an enslaved Indigenous woman, resided at Three Cranes Tavern (1757-1775). She likely worked as a domestic, enduring arduous hours without pay, like many Indigenous women.
Kittie Knox
Kittie Knox (1874-1900), a biracial cyclist, faced discrimination from all-white clubs in Boston. She designed unique cycling attire, including knickerbocker pants, for women riders.
The Vilna Shul
Built in 1919, the Vilna Shul served the Jewish community on Beacon Hill as a synagogue and community center. Although it closed in 1985, the building has been restored as a Jewish cultural center.
Home of Elizabeth Kearney Blood
Elizabeth Kearney Blood (1899-1969) resisted eviction during Boston’s West End demolition in 1958. With future governor Endicott Peabody’s help, she secured an extra 30 days.
View of Massachusetts General Hospital, Linda Richards, Mary Eliza Mahoney
MGH is considered the among the top hospitals in the country, and has been home to numerous female physicians, researchers and nurses since the 1800s.
Hayden House, Ellen Craft, Harriet Hayden
This building was home to Harriet Hayden (ca. 1816-1893) and her husband, Lewis Hayden, both born enslaved. It was a key station on the Underground Railroad in Boston.
Annie Adams Fields’ Literary Salon
Annie Adams Fields (1834-1915) hosted an influential literary salon at her family home on Charles Street. She supported many women writers and engaged in significant charitable work.
Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin, Florida Ruffin Ridley, and The Woman’s Era Club
Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin (1842-1924), editor of The Woman’s Era, lived here for two decades. Her daughter, Florida Ruffin Ridley (1861-1943), was a pioneering teacher and activist.
Home of Susan Paul
In the 1830s, Susan Paul (1809-1841) taught at the segregated Smith School on Joy Street for African American children. She was also an officer in the Boston Female Anti-Slavery Society
St. Margaret’s Convent
These townhouses on Louisburg Square were home to St. Margaret’s Convent, an Episcopalian community that moved here in 1883 to expand their nursing and evangelical efforts on Beacon Hill.
Mary Eliza Mahoney
Mary Eliza Mahoney (1845-1926) attended school here as a child. She was the first professionally trained African American nurse in the U.S. and a lifelong civil rights and suffrage activist.
Home of Betty Gram Swing
Betty Gram Swing (1893-1984), a suffrage organizer for the National Woman’s Party, faced the “Night of Terror” and picketed for women’s voting rights, later advocating for the ERA.
Anne Whitney Studio
This building’s top-floor window marks the studio where sculptor Anne Whitney (1821-1915) worked for two decades. She received prestigious commissions for monuments across the country.
Home of Sylvia Plath
Sylvia Plath (1932-1963), a celebrated poet and novelist, lived here in 1958-1959. Her works include “The Bell Jar” and poetry, earning her a posthumous Pulitzer Prize.
Home of Margaret Deland
Margaret Deland (1857-1945), a popular novelist and social reformer, lived here. Her works challenged societal norms and explored the quest for happiness.