Welcome to Women Leading the Way, a groundbreaking community, art and storytelling project that celebrates the centennial of the Women’s Suffrage Movement by engaging students to embrace the right to vote with a simple question: "Who was the first woman in your family to vote?"

In their journey to find that exceptional individual within their own families, students explore the lessons of the Movement and connect their family histories to that of the pioneering women who united and enfranchised half the nation in their quest for gender equality.

This virtual exhibition brings together a rich mosaic of portraits and highly personal essays from over 300 high school students nationwide in answer to the question. More broadly, at a particularly challenging time in our nation’s history on so many fronts, through the voices of young budding citizens, it shines a light on several of the issues still facing us today, including civic responsibility in a democracy; strengthening the social fabric; racial discrimination and the fundamental human right to vote. It also teaches us that seemingly insurmountable challenges can be overcome.

The project bears witness to the pioneering strength, the spirit, and the leadership of women all over the world. It speaks to unity and seeks to foster a greater sense of community and appreciation of humanity’s shared experience.