NCH Criticizes National Archives for Altering Photo in Exhibit on Women’s Rights

The National Coalition for History (NCH) has sent a letter to Archivist of the United States David Ferriero criticizing the use of an altered photo of the 2017 Women’s March on Washington in the National Archives and Records Administration’s (NARA) exhibition, “Rightfully Hers: American Women and the Vote.” As first reported in the Washington Post, the photo was altered to blur marcher’s signs criticizing President Trump. Signs including references to female anatomy were also blurred.

In response to overwhelming public criticism, NARA quickly reversed course and issued an apology. The National Archives has removed the photo and is replacing it with the original.

NCH’s letter urged NARA to review its policies and procedures that allowed this incident to occur and to take the necessary steps to ensure this does not reoccur.