A Lowcountry woman is helping to lead a nationwide effort to create the first-ever monument on the National Mall dedicated to women’s history, specifically the Women’s Suffrage Movement.
A monument to women’s history
The monument will honor the women who fought tirelessly for the right to vote in the United States, a struggle that lasted over a century and culminated in the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920. As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, organizers believe it’s time to properly commemorate this critical part of the nation’s history.
“So, there are 1,000 acres on the National Mall. There are 40 monuments, and none of them right now are solely dedicated to telling women’s stories,” said South Carolina volunteer Ashley Holbrook. “We have a chance to change that, which is really exciting, especially as America heads into our 250th.”
Holbrook is one of three women from South Carolina working with the Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation to make this monument a reality.
The long road to suffrage
The campaign acknowledges the long and difficult battle faced by women who fought for the right to vote. Jeri Cabot, co-president of the League of Women Voters of the Charleston Area, reflected on how deeply ingrained the belief was that women should not participate in politics or own property. She noted that many women were deemed unworthy of voting and were pushed to the margins of society.
Notable figures, such as the Grimke sisters from Charleston, who were vocal about women’s rights and the injustices of slavery, faced intense societal backlash. Women like Susan B. Anthony were even arrested for trying to vote.
Expanding the right to vote
While the 19th Amendment granted white women the right to vote in 1920, the struggle continued for women of color. Native American women were granted full voting rights in 1924 with the Indian Citizenship Act, and Asian American women were enfranchised in 1952 with the Immigration and Nationality Acts. Black and Hispanic women gained full access to voting with the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
Now, a new battle has been won, with Congress approving the creation of a monument dedicated to women’s history on the National Mall.
Monument location and funding
The monument will be located in Constitution Gardens, near the corner of 19th Street and Constitution Avenue, a prime area that offers views of both the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.
Organizers are aiming to fund the project through private donations. Although the final cost is not yet disclosed, Holbrook emphasized that if every woman in America donated just one dollar, they would have enough money to build the monument immediately.
Public involvement and submission deadline
One of the unique aspects of this campaign is its invitation for the public to submit ideas for the monument’s design. Submissions have already begun pouring in, and the public is encouraged to participate before the July 4 deadline.
“We really hope that it’s a multi-generational process that boys and girls will sit down with their parents, their grandparents, their teachers, their mentors, and talk about what expanding the right to vote means to them,” Holbrook said.
Those interested in submitting ideas are invited to reflect on the leaders and milestones of the suffrage movement, create a piece of art or writing, and submit a clear photo of their work along with a brief description.
