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National Women's Hall of Fame Announces new Executive Director

Jul 20th, 2021

National Women’s Hall of Fame appoints Executive Director in advance of 2021 Induction 

Jennifer Gabriel will lead the Hall of Fame through a regional and national expansion of mission as the organization prepares to honor an exceptional class of women 

The National Women’s Hall of Fame is pleased to announce Jennifer Gabriel as Executive Director. This successful hire concludes the Hall’s six-month national search for this critical position. 

Gabriel’s immediate task is to lead the organization through its 2021 Induction Ceremony that will honor the achievements of Michelle Obama, Indra Nooyi, Katherine Johnson, Emily Howland, Mia Hamm, Joy Harjo, Rebecca Halstead, Judy Chicago, and Octavia Butler. Information about ticket sales for the 2021 Induction ceremony will be announced at a press conference at the Hall at 10am EST on Wednesday, July 28. Please RSVP to attend in person, or join the Facebook Live event at facebook.com/womenofthehall.  

“We are thrilled that Jennifer Gabriel has agreed to lead the National Women’s Hall of Fame at this pivotal time,” said Betsy Fantone, president of the Board of Directors. “Jennifer is deeply committed to the Hall’s mission and is a compassionate, strategic, and thoughtful leader. We’re looking forward to working with her and our dedicated staff and volunteers to grow the efforts that honor, engage, and inspire women across our nation.” 

As a seasoned fundraiser with two decades of senior leadership experience at nonprofits in Colorado, California, and New York, Gabriel will lead the National Women’s Hall of Fame as it grows to meet two primary objectives:

  • secure the National Women’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Program as the signature national event honoring the achievements of American women, and 
  • plan and implement an ambitious agenda of new programs and exhibits, establishing the Hall as an innovative “Center for Impact and Inspiration.”

“The Hall celebrates the incredible women who make our world a better place, and their stories help us understand the people, the places, the economic and social structures, and the events that inspire change,” Gabriel said. “It’s our shared goal to grow and strengthen the National Women’s Hall of Fame to ignite a passion for equity among all people, at all ages, and from all walks of life.”

Founded in 1969, the Hall was recently renovated and moved into the historic 1844 Seneca Knitting Mill in Seneca Falls, NY. This spring, the Hall was awarded a $1 million grant from the New York Downtown Revitalization Initiative to support additional renovations and new exhibits. Now, Gabriel will work with the local and national community of donors and supporters to build from this foundation, finishing the remaining floors within the Mill while creating and implementing programming that allows for Hall’s transformational growth both regionally and nationally.

The National Women’s Hall of Fame is the nation’s first and oldest non-profit organization and museum dedicated to honoring and celebrating the achievements of distinguished American women. The Hall uses the stories of its 293 Inductees as tools for inspiration, innovation, and imagination.  

More information can be found at womenofthehall.org or @womenofthehall on social media platforms. Business partnerships are also still available for this year’s exceptional induction ceremony.

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