Write an Op-Ed Locally to Support the Smithsonian Nationally
Inspired by the Science Homecoming project, which encourages scientists to write brief opinion pieces in their hometown newspapers across the country making the case for science's importance to their local community, "Raise Your Voice for the Smithsonian" empowers you to write an opinion piece in support of the Smithsonian and place it in a newspaper!
The Smithsonian Institution belongs to all of us. Right now, its independence, expertise, and authority are under attack and it is time for us to come together to protect and steward this shared treasure. Op-eds are a form of activism that can be very effective at raising awareness all over the country. Collectively, local newspapers reach 1.5 times as many people as The New York Times does and six times as many people as The Washington Post does. Moreover, they are an ideal vehicle for alerting people all over the country that the Smithsonian matters directly to them.
The resources on this page explain more about this effort and empower you to join it. The Raise Your Voice Slide Show and the Smithsonian Facts Sheet resource contain lots of data and examples of ways in which the Smithsonian affects communities everywhere, from traveling exhibits to educational materials to enabling families in 219 counties (so far!) across the country to trace their family history . . . and more.
The Guidelines and Tips for Placing Op-Eds, Opinion Pieces and Letters to the Editor was especially prepared for this effort pro bono by Mission Partners Strategic Communications Firm CEO, Carrie Fox, and Senior Consultant, Don Foley. It contains lots of information specifically about writing for newspapers, including important dos and don’ts. The Smithsonian Op-Ed Tips and Pointers adapts the Science Homecoming model with examples and ideas relevant to museums.
We hope you will use these resources to write for a newspaper that you have some connection to, either by being a subscriber now or by writing back to your hometown if you are a DC transplant. And if your piece runs in your paper, let us know about it at info@citizenhistorians.org! We’ll list all the published pieces on this page.
Thank you for Raising Your Voice for the Smithsonian!