Raul Dias takes you to four museums around the world that are dedicated to the indomitable spirit of woman in all her strength and glory
Having my birthday fall exactly a day after March 8’s International Women’s Day, the day has always been a significant one in my life. Coming from a family dominated by extremely strong, successful ladies, I’ve always held women in the highest esteem. So much so, that, whenever I travel, I try and fit in at least one activity that celebrates a woman the way she should be—with respect and admiration. Be it learning the finer nuances of batik painting in Indonesia from a very patient lady or partaking in a voodoo ritual conducted by a high priestess in New Orleans!
And so, the following article is a collation of my various visits over the years to museums around the world that are significantly different from the scores of others I have visited. Welcome to some of the best ‘Women’s Museums’—from America to Africa and from the UAE to the UK. Places that focus on everything from the history of women’s political, social and cultural equality to some stunning works of art for and by women…
Women’s Museum-Dubai, UAE
Located in Dubai’s historic quarter of Deira, the Women’s Museum is housed in a building called Bait al Banat, which translates to “The Girls House”. Built in the 1950s, this former residential home was said to be the place where three unmarried Emirati sisters once lived.
Today, besides being a museum, the space is a national archive and documentation centre. It is dedicated to exploring the different facets of the lives of Emirati women—professional and personal, past and present. It includes artwork by various female Emirati artists and photographs showing the contributions of Emirati women. Examples of their Emirati jewellery and dresses and an exploration of how past and current rulers have affected the role of women in the UAE can also be found in this fascinating one-of-a-kind museum.
National Cowgirl Museum –Fort Worth, USA
This museum dedicated to women’s empowerment in a very interesting and unique way, was first started in 1975 in the basement of the Deaf Smith County Library in Hereford, Texas. It was moved to Fort Worth, also in Texas in 1994 and is today dedicated to honouring women of the American West who have displayed extraordinary courage and pioneering fortitude.
The museum is an educational resource with exhibits, a research library, and rare photography collections. Among its many permanent exhibits, “Into the Arena,” is one of the most fascinating ones. This one covers women in the fields of rodeo and trick riding, as well as modern horsewomen of note such as Belmont Stakes winning jockey Julie Krone. It has interactive computer displays, rodeo memorabilia, clothing, and other rodeo artefacts. However, I personally enjoyed the “Claiming the Spotlight” exbibit that shows the cowgirl as represented in media, and the varying roles the archetypical cowgirl has played in film, television, advertising and music.
Karen Blixen Museum-Nairobi, Kenya
Just as one would expect a museum dedicated to an author who was so in love with the wilds of Africa, the Karen Blixen Museum is housed at the foot of the Ngong Hills, around 10 km outside of the Kenyan capital of Nairobi. The life of the Danish writer who was famous for her book Out of Africa is celebrated so wondrously in this well-appointed museum housed in a colonial-style bungalow.
The house and its attached property were bought in 1917 by Blixen and her husband, Baron Bror von Blixen-Finecke with the intention of operating a coffee plantation. After the Blixens separated in 1921, Karen Blixen continued to live at the house and run the plantation until she returned to Denmark 1931. Her life here is chronicled both in her most famous aforementioned book, as well as in her other book Shadows of the Grass. At the museum, one can join the guided tours of the house, which features rooms designed in both the original decor and with props from the 1985 film that was based on Out of Africa and know more about Blixen’s fascinating life.
Florence Nightingale Museum-London, UK
Another great woman whose life and work is celebrated in a specially dedicated museum is the world’s most famous nurse Florence Nightingale. Located on the banks of the river Thames opposite the Houses of Parliament in London, the museum attracts visitors from all over the world who want to learn more about the ‘Lady with the Lamp’ and her Victorian world. Here you can also examine Florence’s legacy, her influence on nursing today and the continuing relevance of her work.
The Florence Nightingale Museum even runs a busy learning programme for schools and families activities, as well as a lively events programme with regular afternoon and event talks. Make sure to check the museum’s schedule to see what’s on before you visit!
(Raul Dias a Mumbai-based food and travel writer and restaurant reviewer. Follow Raul on Instagram @rauldias123)
