Kaitlin Calogera, A Tour of Her Own
Kaitlin Calogera is the entrepreneur behind A Tour of Her Own, which aims to offer a fresh perspective of D.C. neighborhoods and American history through a feminist lens.
She’s our Scene Setter this week for bringing the lesser-known stories of D.C.’s leaders, including BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ people, to the forefront.
Calogera shared some fascinating stories with us as she shared more info about what you might find if you join A Tour of Her Own.
Check them out on Instagram.
What kind of topics and people do you cover with your tours?
We highlight the dynamic character of Washington, D.C., by sharing local, national and global history.
Our stories recognize women who have reached for the highest levels of government, like Belva Lockwood, who was the first woman to run for president in 1884. Our stories center Black feminists like Anna Julia Cooper, a resident of LeDroit Park and the only woman quoted in the United States passport. We offer insight into the lives of America’s first ladies and remind our groups that this role is unpaid, unelected and often comes with great criticism.
Our tour guides elevate the experiences of women who have served in the military and Congress or dedicated their lives to what we call "pink-collar jobs" in education, nursing or art.
We focus on individual people but also emphasize that women are skilled at organizing and working in groups, much like the National Council of Negro Women or the Daughters of the American Revolution.
One particular observation about women in history is that their efforts are strong in the field of preservation — and so their stories are not always visible but rather in the shadows of what we can see.
A Tour of Her Own features a bunch of free programming and private tours. What can people expect when they join you?
We offer a fresh perspective of D.C. neighborhoods and American history through a feminist lens. We lean into the uncomfortable which leads to a lot of “wow” moments.
Locals often express that we’ve introduced them to a new place in the city, while others end the tour asking the same question: How come we never learned this in school?
Let’s say we do a lot of “unlearning” on tour. Our guides are what we call “public historians,” so our style tends to be entertaining and approachable. We aim to design our programs so that they are a safe space for people to explore and connect with each other, the stories and the places. For folks who might not be interested in walking or driving tours, we host virtual tours and book talks, as well!
How did the idea for A Tour of Her Own come about?
There's a lack of statues, monuments and memorials honoring women in public spaces. As a tour guide, I felt it was my responsibility to share a more honest interpretation of our history and the city. As current events were unfolding over the last decade, it became clear to me that our society needed to understand women's historical contributions in order to build a more inclusive future.
What's something in D.C. women's history that you were even surprised to learn?
I’m one of those people who loves cemeteries! There is one in Georgetown called the Female Union Band Society Cemetery that has an incredible history.
It was started in the 1840s by a group of Black and Native [American] women. What I was most surprised to learn was that they had an official constitution in which they promised each other mutual aid in sickness and in death: $2 per week during illness, $20 for funerals and a gravesite for each. They took care of each other, so no one was alone, and that is the true spirit of womanhood!
Who's a D.C. hero in women's history you think the average person should know more about?
In the spirit of the season, allow me to introduce you to Eliza Scidmore, who led the campaign to plant D.C.’s iconic cherry trees. She was National Geographic’s first female writer, photographer and board member. When she returned from her travels to Japan, she linked up with one of my favorite first ladies, Helen Taft, to bring the cherry blossoms to D.C.! We have her to thank — so keep Eliza Scidmore in mind this year when you head to the Tidal Basin.
Photo by Cynthia Schiavetto Staliunas (Schiavetto Photography)
This Q&A has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
