#EchosOfHer – Henriette Bathily Women’s Museum

Henriette Bathily Women’s Museum — A Sanctuary of Strength and Storytelling in Senegal

A Vision Rooted in Feminism and Cultural Pride

In 1994, Annette Mbaye d’Erneville — Senegal’s pioneering journalist, filmmaker and activist — turned her personal mission into a lasting legacy. She founded the Henriette Bathily Women’s Museum in Dakar, naming it after the renowned feminist and cultural figure Henriette Bathily. The museum was designed as a refuge, a place to preserve and celebrate the many lives and voices of Senegalese and African women.

This vision emerged during a growing wave of feminist activism across Africa. Many women were reclaiming their histories and cultural contributions after years of erasure. Mbaye d’Erneville believed that culture could empower and that protecting women’s artistic and social heritage was vital for dignity and self-determination.

Celebrating Traditions and Contemporary Creativity

The museum’s collections form a rich tapestry of objects, stories and experiences that reflect women’s enduring resilience. Visitors see traditional crafts such as weaving, pottery and beadwork — art forms passed down through generations, carrying both skill and identity.

Yet, the museum also looks forward. It embraces contemporary art and oral storytelling, merging tradition with innovation. Exhibitions show women as cultural custodians and as agents of change. They reveal how creativity becomes a tool for survival, resistance and community building.

Community at the Heart

What makes the Henriette Bathily Women’s Museum unique is its focus on community. It is not a static archive but a living space. Local women take part as creators and custodians of their heritage. Literacy programmes, artisan workshops and cultural events strengthen bonds between generations and nurture confidence.

This participatory approach mirrors the ethos of Anah Project. Both believe that Black and minoritised women should not only be represented but should lead and shape their own narratives.

Stories of Resilience and Leadership

Through multimedia exhibits and oral histories, the museum shares stories of women who have shaped Senegalese life — matriarchs, healers, activists and entrepreneurs. These accounts challenge stereotypes and reveal complex, vibrant identities.

Resilience is central here. It is not simply about survival but about leadership, imagination and courage. The museum encourages visitors to rethink history and to see the strength embedded in ordinary lives.

Reflecting on Cultural Preservation and Empowerment

The Henriette Bathily Women’s Museum reminds us that preserving culture is a quiet act of resistance. It invites us to ask: How do cultural practices empower individuals and communities? How can heritage become a foundation for social justice?

Visitors are encouraged to value intangible traditions — language, rituals, songs — as vital parts of identity that link the past, present and future.

A Beacon for Future Generations

As the museum grows, it continues to find new ways to share women’s experiences. Digital platforms and collaborative projects make its work more accessible and inclusive.

For Anah Project and its community, the Henriette Bathily Women’s Museum stands as a model of empowerment. It shows how culturally rooted spaces can inspire solidarity and change — shining light on stories that might otherwise remain unseen.

Check out the museums website and look out for more #EchosOfHer series!

www.mufem.org