Nancy Yao withdraws as founding director of Smithsonian American Women's History Museum

Nancy Yao has stepped down as founding director of the Smithsonian's proposed American Women's History Museum, less than six months after her appointment in March 2023. The museum, which aims to highlight the contributions of American women, is expected to open in about ten years. Yao cited her father's illness and family needs in a LinkedIn post, but also addressed recent Washington Post articles alleging she fired three sex-harassment accusers at the Museum of Chinese in America, where she previously served as president. Yao denied retaliating against whistleblowers and claimed the articles misrepresented events. Melanie A. Adams, director of the Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum, will serve as interim director.