"The Bravest Woman in America," Ida Lewis Lighthouse Keeper

Learn about the role of lighthouses in maritime navigation and communication and how and why women held the federal position of lighthouse keepers in the nineteenth century. You will hear about Rhode Island's Ida Lewis, who is the most famous lighthouse keeper in the United States and how nineteenth century gender norms affected the way in which she was represented in the media with her position in the national spotlight.

Check out our Common Core Standards-aligned lesson plan on this topic at https://shiphistory.org/2023/10/19/idalewis/.

To learn more about our organization and education program visit shiphistory.org.