Description: Mary A. Huffer led Smithsonian Libraries as Acting Director, 1964–67, and Assistant Director, 1968–72. During her tenure, she welcomed automation for cataloging and purchasing in the newly-formed central library system. #Groundbreaker
Description: Nancy J. Bechtol has supervised all facilities engineering and management needs across the Smithsonian as director of Smithsonian Facilities since 2012. Previously, Bechtol was the director of Smithsonian Gardens, 1995–2002, and director of the Office of Facilities Management and Reliability, 2002–2012. #Groundbreaker
Description: Ann Leven was responsible for the financial management of the Smithsonian as Treasurer from 1984 to 1990. Under her leadership, Smithsonian's total endowment fund nearly doubled. Leven oversaw investments, bank relations, insurance programs, management of museum shops, and more. #Groundbreaker
Description: Dr. Sharon Shaffer, Founding Director, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center, 1988–2012, established a museum-based, educational program for young children at the Smithsonian. She also developed trainings and wrote numerous publications for educators. #Groundbreaker
Description: Estelle Beck, Head Switchboard Operator, 1960–77, led a small team of women who were responsible for fielding hundreds of daily calls to the Smithsonian. Beck also operated telephones at the Smithsonian for three years prior to World War II. #Groundbreaker
Description: Linda Edquist, Conservator and Head of Preservation, National Postal Museum, 1993–2018, managed conservation projects, staff, and exhibitions at the museum. Edquist first arrived at the Smithsonian as a Conservation Technician at Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, 1990–92. #Groundbreaker
Description: Magda J. Schremp, Docent Program Coordinator, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, 1971–2007, led a team of volunteers, who were responsible for assisting with school programs, leading hands-on activities and programs, and guiding the visitors’ experiences as tour guides. #Groundbreaker
Description: Virginia Beets was instrumental in the early years of the National Museum of American History as an Administrative Officer, 1963–73, and Registrar, 1973–83. She initially joined the Smithsonian as a secretary in the Division of Insects at the National Museum of Natural History in 1949. #Groundbreaker
Description: Elvira Clain-Stefanelli worked with the Smithsonian National Museum of American History’s National Numismatics Collection between 1957 and 2000. Although she initially arrived at the Smithsonian as an assistant to her husband, chief curator Vladmir Clain-Stefanelli, she eventually became the department’s first executive director in 1984. In 1973, both Elvira and Vladmir
Description: Dr. Mercedes López-Morales has been an astronomer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics since 2012. She researches the detection and characterization of exoplanet atmospheres and serves as a leader on multiple international projects. #Groundbreaker