NMB Calls For Submissions On Women’s History
The National Museum of Bermuda announced a call for papers for a Special Issue of the Bermuda Journal of Archaeology and Maritime History, dedicated to “exploring the diverse and impactful history of women in Bermuda.”
A spokesperson said, “Scholars and graduate students are invited to contribute original research and essays that highlight the roles, experiences, and legacies of women from the 17th century to the present day.
“From pioneering educators and activists to medical professionals, entrepreneurs, and artists, Bermudian women have influenced social, political, and economic change across centuries. Despite their vital presence, historical research has frequently overlooked their experiences and achievements.
NMB: ‘Women in Bermuda have long played a vital yet often overlooked role in the island’s agricultural economy. From packing onions—one of Bermuda’s key export crops—alongside men and children in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, to managing essential dairy production, their labour sustained both households and local markets and highlight the indispensable contributions of women to Bermuda’s farming, trade, and food security.’
“This Special Issue seeks to fill this gap by providing a dedicated space for scholarship that highlights the resilience, leadership, and impact of women in Bermuda.”
“This Special Issue is an important step in addressing the historical imbalance in the documentation of Bermuda’s past,” said Dr. Deborah Atwood, Curator of the National Museum of Bermuda and co-editor of the Bermuda Journal of Archaeology and Maritime History.
“By bringing together diverse perspectives and research, we aim to shed light on the many ways women have shaped our island’s history and ensure their contributions are recognised and preserved for future generations.”
Bermudian women who enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force [Women's Division] in WWII, taking on vital roles to support the war. Left to right: Lillian Bell, Daisy Vallis, Kathleen Bromby, Iris Jackson, Betty Cousland, Lucy Benevides, Freda Rigby, Joan Lee, and Mary Adams.
The spokesperson said, “Published by the National Museum of Bermuda, the Bermuda Journal of Archaeology and Maritime History is a peer-reviewed academic journal that explores Bermuda’s rich archaeological and maritime past. Since its inception, the journal has provided a platform for scholarly research on a range of topics related to Bermuda’s history, archaeology, and maritime traditions. This Special Issue aims to continue that tradition by focusing on the contributions and experiences of women in Bermuda across centuries.
“This Special Issue seeks to compile a multi-disciplinary collection of studies that shed light on women’s contributions to Bermuda’s social, political, economic, and cultural history. The editors welcome submissions on a variety of topics, including but not limited to:
- Women and resistance
- Women’s roles in Bermuda literature and the economy
- Biographies of notable Bermudian women
- Women’s contributions to medicine and education
- The role of women in Bermuda’s Atlantic World
- The Suffragette movement
- The female experience of enslavement and post-emancipation
- Witch trials
- Gender and material culture
- Women and legislation
- Women in art
Circa 1860, local nurses stand outside the Royal Naval Hospital, with the NMB noting it represents the “vital yet often unrecognized role Black women played in Bermuda’s healthcare”
About the Editors:
“Dr. Clarence Maxwell is an Assistant Professor of Caribbean and Latin American History at Millersville University in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA, and Co-Director of the Millersville University Atlantic World Center. He is also a trustee of the National Museum of Bermuda. Dr. Maxwell specializes in topics concerning Bermuda, the Caribbean, Latin America, the African Diaspora, and the history of Atlantic enslavement.
“Dr. Deborah Atwood is the Curator of the National Museum of Bermuda and co-editor of the Bermuda Journal of Archaeology and Maritime History. She also serves as the editor of the Museum’s magazine MARITimes. Her research has focused on 19th-century Bermuda, with a particular emphasis on historical archaeology and material culture.
Submission Guidelines:
- Manuscript deadline: September 31, 2025
- Submissions must include an abstract [250-300 words] and a brief biography of the author
- All submissions will undergo peer review and must adhere to NMB House style guidelines
- Accepted articles will be published in the Special Digital Issue of the Bermuda Journal of Archaeology and Maritime History
“Interested contributors should submit their manuscripts and biographies via email to curator@nmb.bm. Join us in uncovering and celebrating the remarkable history of women in Bermuda. We look forward to your contributions!
Henrietta Tucker casts the first woman’s vote in Bermuda at a by-election in Paget on October 4, 1944.
“NMB is open every day 10am–5pm [last admission 4pm]. Visit www.nmb.bm/visit for more information. NMB is a non-government, not-for-profit Bermuda Registered Charity No. 136.”
