History suggests that as “big business” started to take hold in the late 1800s, women became more involved in business and working outside the home. However, few women owned companies. Those that did were in industries centered on women, such as home goods, apparel, or personal care.

Today, women own only 40% of businesses in the U.S., making Carrie Burnam Taylor’s business of the early 20th century that much more impressive. Curated with Dr. Carrie Cox, this exhibit will explore Taylor's life and work, displaying three of her dresses, two coats, two bodices, and various undergarments recently conserved thanks to our Adopt-an-Artifact program.

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In the late 1800s, stitchery from London's Royal School of Art needlework and Japanese arts and crafts exhibited at the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition inspired women across America to take up their needles in new and different ways. Explore the various "maniacal" and "maddening" designs that resulted in this showcase of our Crazy Quilt collection.

A two-week camp held in June, SCATS offers high-ability students who have completed grades 6–8 a unique learning environment to explore new ideas, develop concepts, make friends, and share experiences. Students arrive at the WKU campus from counties around Kentucky, states across the nation, and countries around the world to challenge themselves academically and to meet like-minded peers with diverse backgrounds and interests.

Minding My Math Business is a five-day inclusive summer program for Black and Brown youth to learn rigorous mathematics that develops the young scholars’ mathematical identity and celebrates them as gifted mathematicians. Additionally, the young scholars will engage in and learn about mindfulness and meditative interventions for overcoming negative emotions that often accompany math anxiety. The camp is open to all youth in grades 6-12. The educational program provides a curriculum for 6-8 grade youth in the morning followed by 9-12 grade youth in the afternoon. 

This program is organized by WKU professors from the Departments of Mathematics, Finance, and Counseling & Student Affairs in partnership with For a Real Change, Inc. and The Kelly M. Burch Institute for Transformative Practices in Higher Education. The 2023 program is presented thanks to a grant from the WKU Sisterhood.