For many years the Athenaeum of Philadelphia was considered a meeting place for men, and only men, to gather. However, the perception that women were not welcomed at this establishment changed when the first female stockholder was admitted in 1857, but she was not the first to make an impact on the 19th century Athenaeum. In fact, a few women prior to 1857 were involved in the Athenaeum and their portraits can be found hanging on the library walls. The lives of these women were subtle, yet still very important, to the history and development of the Athenaeum. This exhibit was created by Megan Olver