TOMBOY EXHIBIT

APRIL 1 – JUNE 30, 2022

Co-curated by the Pembroke Center and the Providence Public Library

On display at: Providence Public Library, 150 Empire Street, Providence

Appearing first in the 1590s, the term “tomboy” was defined as a “wild, romping girl, who acts like a spirited boy” or a “strumpet, bold and immodest woman.”

This exhibition interrogates the history of cultural expectations and gender norms for girls and women, especially in the interplay between lifestyle, aesthetic, play and self-identity. It looks at historical shifts in definitions of femininity and gender to understand how tomboys have challenged cultural norms to have a dynamic influence on fashion, literature, sports and popular culture.

This exhibit is produced in partnership with the Providence Public Library and is on display at their downtown location at 150 Empire Street, Providence.

Exhibit hours through June 30:

Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursdays: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Fridays: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturdays: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Closed Sundays

Free and open to the public.

Providence Public Library is largely compliant with ADA accessibility guidelines.