Wonderful Women Wednesday: Eileen M. McCarthy

Each week, the Archives features a woman who has been a groundbreaker at the Smithsonian, past or present, in a series titled Wonderful Women Wednesday.

Eileen M. McCarthy was the first chief of the publication distribution section of the Smithsonian Institution Press between 1954 until her retirement in 1973. In this role, she was responsible for responding to requests for publications and information from universities, libraries, and other research institutions. 

McCarthy entered federal service work in 1941 with a position at the Maritime Commission before joining the Smithsonian in 1947.

During her time at the Institution, McCarthy served on the board of directors for the Smithsonian Credit Union. 

Contact sheet of black-and-white negatives from McCarthy's retirement parties. Scenes show McCarthy

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