Sailing Against the Tide: Women of cape cod and the islands

Histories of Cape Cod and the islands are full of stories of ship captains, lightkeepers, and other grizzled men facing the sea. Behind each of them, and oftentimes by their sides, were women.

But women should not be dismissed as historical footnotes. They ran businesses, traveled the world, and fought for independence. They were artists, writers, and scientists. They were prominent community leaders, or worked behind the scenes. They were born here, or made their homes here. Some never married, while others raised large families.

They lived diverse lives, and continue to shape our maritime community today. This exhibit shares just some of their stories.

Visit Us in Person to Learn More About…

Lucretia Mott

Born into a Quaker Nantucket whaling family, Mott’s upbringing influenced her career as a leader in the abolition and suffrage movements.
Rachel Carson

Before she wrote Silent Spring and forever changed the conversation around pesticides, Carson’s career got started in Woods Hole.
Anna Howard Shaw

Suffragist, physician and minister, Shaw preached at Dennis Union Church in Dennis, MA. She, her life partner, and their friends made national headlines for their unusual swim attire.
Lois Mailou Jones

Harlem Renaissance painter who had her first art show as a teenager on Martha’s Vineyard.
WAVES and SPARS

Women from around the country came to Cape Cod to man critical navigation stations and listen for German U-Boats.
Liz Mumford

Local artist whose bold colors and folk art inspirations have been exhibited at Mystic Seaport Maritime Gallery, the Cotuit Center for the Art in Cotuit, MA and Cahoon Museum, Cotuit, MA.

Listen and learn from modern women making history on Cape Cod with our oral history series!

Sandy Macfarlane, President of Coastal Resource Specialists and former Conservation Administrator and Shellfish Biologist for the Town of Orleans discusses her path into marine biology, what the industry was like in the early days of shellfish seeding, and her current work and publications.

Erica Tso Haidas, founder of Belonging Books discusses what inspired her to create the community program provider and pop-up bookstore Belonging Books. This program centers the voices and stories of people of color and other underrepresented communities on Cape Cod, as well as provides a gathering space for joy, celebration, rest and belonging, and of course - books!

Aubrey Ellertson Church, Fisheries Policy Manager at the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's Alliance discusses her experience on fishing vessels and what led to her current career at Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance.

Jaida Elcock, MIT-WHOI JP PhD Student, and Co-Founder of Minorities in Shark Science (MISS) discusses what drew her to the field of Marine Biology and what MISS is all about.

Karleena Corey, Co-Founder of Cape Cod Voices discusses her family's history on Cape Cod, and what led her to co-found Cape Cod Voices, a non-profit organization that strives to keep black and brown at the center of the conversation on race, combat issues of systemic and institutional racism on Cape Cod, and advocate for students of color in local schools.

Christine McCarthy, Chief Executive Officer of Provincetown Art Association and Museum discusses what brought her to the museum and Provincetown, and discusses some of Provincetown’s female artists.

Doreen Bilezikian, Christmas Tree Shops Co-Founder and Philanthropist discusses the founding of her business, her role as mother and businesswoman, and her family's foundation & philanthropy.

Amy Croteau, Natural Resource Officer and Shellfish Warden for the Town of Barnstable, MA discusses her background in Marine Biology and what led to her current career for the Town of Barnstable.

Tara Vargas Wallace, founder of Amplify POC Cape Cod, speaks about what the organization does for the Black communities on Cape Cod, and what led her to founding the organization.

Tamora Israel, Chief Executive Officer of Communi-T Productions, a media production company that tells the stories of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ stories through film and performance. Tamora discusses what brought her to the field and inspired her to tell the stories of underrepresented communities on the Cape.

Laurie Stuehmer, Owner of the Captain Freeman Inn in Brewster, MA discusses the history of the Inn, and what it's like being a female business owner on the Cape.

Featured Artifacts