This Inspiring Free Portsmouth Exhibit Spotlights Christa McAuliffe, 39 Other Trailblazing NH Women

New Hampshire is a state deeply rooted in history, and the “NH Women Trailblazers” exhibit at the Portsmouth Athenaeum beautifully honors the women who helped shape that history through courage, innovation, and perseverance.

Celebrating women across fields like arts and culture, civil rights, education, athletics, business, and government, the exhibit shines a light on trailblazers who challenged barriers and inspired generations to come.

And you have until June 20, 2026, to check it out!

As someone working in the entertainment industry, advocating for women has always been incredibly important to me. Unfortunately, women still face limited opportunities in many industries, especially in film and television, which is why I believe it’s so important to uplift and celebrate women who are paving the way for others.

That passion is one of the reasons I helped co-found the Lois Weber Film Festival with my friend Gabrielle Rosson. The festival was born to honor women in film (past, present, and future) while continuing the legacy of pioneering filmmaker Lois Weber. Supporting women and creating spaces where their voices and accomplishments are recognized will always be a goal of mine.

One of the women highlighted in the NH Women Trailblazers exhibit is Christa McAuliffe, the Concord, New Hampshire, teacher who "taught economics, law, American history, and even developed a course called 'The American Woman' while teaching full-time at Concord High School," according to challenger.org.

The Challenger Center website noted that in 1984, she was selected by NASA for the Teacher in Space program out of nearly 11,000 applicants, becoming an inspiration to students across the country.

Her inclusion in this exhibit feels especially full circle for me because, in 5th grade, I wrote and performed a monologue about her life and accomplishments for my school’s wax museum project. To now see her being honored among so many incredible New Hampshire women feels incredibly meaningful and reminds me how important it is to continue sharing and celebrating these stories.

In an interview with WMUR, Mary-Jo Monusky (co-creator of the exhibit) said, "We started with 25 or 30 women, but we ended up with 40 because the more research we had, the more women we found that we wanted to include, and to be honest, we could have probably filled another gallery".

What makes the “NH Women Trailblazers” exhibit so meaningful is that it reminds us how many extraordinary women came from New Hampshire. And not just that, but how their impact continues to inspire future generations.

Truly a powerful way to celebrate the leadership, resilience, and the importance of women supporting women and in every industry.

READ MORE: This Brave NH Firefighter Is Still Waiting For Her Lifesaving Kidney Match

You can attend the free exhibit through June 20 at the Portsmouth Athenaeum in downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It's open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 1 to 4 p.m.

It’s sure to be an inspiring evening celebrating the incredible women who helped shape New Hampshire’s history and continue to inspire its future.