Kristen Kelly and Serene Williams stand to receive the first Meryl Streep Educator Award at a gala in Chicago on November 6, 2026. The honor recognizes their successful push to create the first Advanced Placement (AP) course dedicated entirely to American women's history. They built the curriculum, informally dubbed WAPUSH, to fill a glaring void in the College Board’s existing lineup, which offers APs in European, World, and African American History but lacks a specific track for women's contributions.
The campaign gained traction through a massive grassroots effort. Kelly and Williams secured written endorsements from 100 colleges and universities across the United States. These institutions agreed to accept course credits or offer appropriate placement to students who complete the curriculum. The course itself relies on original historical research, archival records, and legal documents to map out women’s roles in leadership, labor, and social movements throughout North American history.
The award is tied directly to a seven-figure donation Meryl Streep made to the National Women's History Museum in March 2026. As the honorary chair of the museum’s 15th annual Women Making History Awards Gala, Streep created the new educator category. The funds will expand the museum’s digital learning resources and teacher training programs, aiming to reach classrooms nationwide. Frédérique Irwin, the museum’s CEO, framed the donation as a way to ensure every generation has access to the "full American story."
The November ceremony will also honor other figures, including civil rights pioneer Ruby Bridges and the U.S. Women's National Hockey Team. The event coincides with national preparations for the 250th anniversary of the United States. For Kelly and Williams, the award validates their years of work to bring women’s history into the mainstream secondary school curriculum.