New leadership and recognition from The Landmark Society of Western New York mark continued progress for the Hall
Seneca Falls, NY — The National Women’s Hall of Fame is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Kristen Oehlrich as its new Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director—a visionary nonprofit and museum leader who will guide the Hall into its next transformative era.
An accomplished art historian, educator, and advocate for women’s voices in the arts and beyond, Dr. Oehlrich brings nearly two decades of experience across museums, universities, and cultural institutions, including the Clark Art Institute, Williams College, the Albany Institute of History and Art, and the Museum of Modern Art. She holds a Ph.D. in the History of Art & Architecture and an Executive MBA in Strategy, Operations, and Leadership from Brown University.
“The National Women’s Hall of Fame is the nation’s first and oldest nonprofit organization and museum dedicated to honoring and celebrating the achievements of distinguished American women,” said Dr. Oehlrich. “Our mission reminds us that progress depends on both courage and continuity. I’m inspired by our community’s dedication to honoring the past while collaboratively building an inspiring future. We are committed to engaging every generation in celebrating the achievements of women who change the world.”
Under Dr. Oehlrich’s leadership, the Hall will expand its national presence through innovative programming, educational initiatives, and technology-driven storytelling—continuing to celebrate women whose achievements have transformed history and culture.
2026 Induction Ceremony to be Held in Rochester, NY
Continuing its legacy of recognizing extraordinary American women, the Hall is also pleased to announce plans to hold its 2026 induction ceremony in September in Rochester, NY. The event will recognize both contemporary and historical figures, across the areas of business, government, activism, humanities, philanthropy, science, the military, and athletics.
Nominations are made by the general public, reviewed and scored by a panel of external judges. Those interested in receiving further details about the September 2026 event should sign up for the Hall’s mailing list.
Hall Receives Landmark Society’s 2025 Barber Conable Award for Preservation Excellence
The Hall’s announcements coincide with new recognition for its historic home in the Seneca Knitting Mill. The organization has been awarded the Barber Conable Award, the highest honor presented by The Landmark Society of Western New York’s 2025 Preservation Awards, for its large-scale rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of the historic 1844 mill.
This recognition follows the Hall’s recent Joan K. Davidson Award from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, cementing the Hall’s standing as a national model for the thoughtful preservation of historic spaces. The building is a cornerstone of Seneca Falls, the birthplace of the Women’s Rights Movement in the United States.
The Hall recently awarded the Keeper of the Flame award to Jeanne Giovannini for her achievements during a decade of collaborative effort to transform the once-dilapidated mill into a vibrant, accessible museum space.
“These preservation awards reflect decades of commitment—from volunteers and local advocates to our Board and staff—who envisioned the Seneca Knitting Mill not just as a building, but as a living symbol of women’s resilience and progress,” said Jean Kilbourne, President of the Board for the National Women’s Hall of Fame. “Dr. Oehlrich’s appointment continues that momentum, blending innovation with stewardship as we prepare for the 2026 Induction and beyond.”
New Exhibits and a Refreshed Membership Program
These announcements follow a successful year of programming and community engagement. The Hall welcomed hundreds of visitors to its exhibits, including a traveling exhibit from Dr. Kim Cliett Long on Inductee Mary Church Terrell, and a solo exhibition by visual artist Pamela Araya. Visitors also experienced works by eight little-known women artists commissioned by the American Book Company, celebrating women illustrators in an exhibit curated by Molly Dano in partnership with the Museum Studies program at Syracuse University.
The Hall welcomes new and returning members to its refreshed membership program, The 1848 Society – honoring the spirit of the first Women’s Rights Convention held in Seneca Falls. Three tiers of membership are available, with benefits including free and discounting entry to over 1,000+ museums through the North American Reciprocal Museum Program.
For more information, visit www.womenofthehall.org
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Press contact: Victoria Dalton victoria @ vdaltonpr.com