Far from sitting quietly on the sidelines, American girls have been on the frontlines of political, cultural, and social change. The signature exhibition, "Girlhood (It's complicated)," opening at the National Museum of American History in October 2020 as part of the Smithsonian's American Women's History Initiative, explores the diverse and complex stories of girlhood in our nation's history. #BecauseOfHerStory

In collaboration with colleagues from across the Smithsonian, the Transcription Center's staff and community of digital volunteers joined the effort to celebrate and share the history of girlhood.  Explore this Learning Lab collection to learn more and find  transcribed historical sources created by, and related to, American girls.