Appearing first in the 1590s, the term “tomboy” was defined as a “wild, romping girl, who acts like a spirited boy;” or “strumpet, bold and immodest woman.”

This exhibition interrogates the history of cultural expectations and gender norms for girls & women, especially in the interplay between lifestyle, aesthetic, play and self-identity. It looks at historical shifts in definitions of femininity and gender to understand how tomboys have challenged cultural norms to have a dynamic influence on fashion, literature, sports and popular culture.

The exhibition is free and open to all during Library’s open hours.

Tomboy