Legislators Bring Women's History to the Forefront
March 21, 2006
WASHINGTON, DC) – Women elected officials from across the country are working to turn the idea of Women's History Month into a daily reality in the nation's capital.
Although women constitute a majority of the nation's population their achievements and contributions are underrepresented in museums and memorials. In 1996, the National Women's History Museum (NWHM) was established to preserve, interpret, and celebrate the diverse historic contributions of women. The National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) was asked to sign on as a key member of the Coalition to support the efforts of the NWHM to follow through on the recommendation from the 1999 President's Commission on the Celebration of Women in American History calling for a women's history museum to be established on the National Mall in Washington, DC, the most prominent location for museums to be situated in the nation's capital.
Members of the National Foundation for Women Legislators' Education & Training Policy Committee have played an active role in leading NFWL's efforts to engage Members of Congress and women elected officials at all levels of government nationwide to support the establishment of a museum dedicated to integrating women's history into the country's national history.
Currently, Committee members are working with NFWL and the NWHM to urge the U.S. House of Representatives to approve legislation that has already passed in the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent. The Bill, S.501, allows the Museum to locate its permanent home at the Old Post Office Annex on Pennsylvania Avenue-a vacant building next door to the Old Post Office. The Annex is a failed commercial venture that reverted to federal ownership and has been vacant for twelve years.
"The efforts of these women legislators to raise awareness about the importance of establishing this museum are impressive," said Robin Read, President and CEO of the National Foundation for Women Legislators. "The establishment of the National Women's History Museum on the National Mall in Washington, DC is so important to our entire nation. Our children will benefit from learning about the rich history and legacy of all the different women who have contributed to this country in some way, and will serve as role models."
"We are gratified that so many organizations have banded together to support giving women's history a home," said Susan Jollie, President and CEO of the National Women's History Museum. "It will allow present and future generations to be educated about the contributions and achievements of women - who make up 52 percent of the population - have made to our country and the world. Women have not received the recognition they deserve."
Once established on the National Mall, the NWHM will showcase the full history of women in the United States and the contributions they have made and continue to make in the marketplace, arts and sciences, government, entertainment, education, home, and community.
About the National Women's History Museum
Founded in 1996, the National Women's History Museum is a non-partisan, non-profit educational institution dedicated to revealing, presenting, and celebrating the rich and diverse history of women's contributions that have shaped American culture and society. The Museum will be established in Washington, D.C., where the world's most prominent museums and monuments are located.
Although women constitute a majority of the nation's population their achievements and contributions are underrepresented in museums and memorials. In 1996, the National Women's History Museum (NWHM) was established to preserve, interpret, and celebrate the diverse historic contributions of women. The National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) was asked to sign on as a key member of the Coalition to support the efforts of the NWHM to follow through on the recommendation from the 1999 President's Commission on the Celebration of Women in American History calling for a women's history museum to be established on the National Mall in Washington, DC, the most prominent location for museums to be situated in the nation's capital.
Members of the National Foundation for Women Legislators' Education & Training Policy Committee have played an active role in leading NFWL's efforts to engage Members of Congress and women elected officials at all levels of government nationwide to support the establishment of a museum dedicated to integrating women's history into the country's national history.
Currently, Committee members are working with NFWL and the NWHM to urge the U.S. House of Representatives to approve legislation that has already passed in the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent. The Bill, S.501, allows the Museum to locate its permanent home at the Old Post Office Annex on Pennsylvania Avenue-a vacant building next door to the Old Post Office. The Annex is a failed commercial venture that reverted to federal ownership and has been vacant for twelve years.
"The efforts of these women legislators to raise awareness about the importance of establishing this museum are impressive," said Robin Read, President and CEO of the National Foundation for Women Legislators. "The establishment of the National Women's History Museum on the National Mall in Washington, DC is so important to our entire nation. Our children will benefit from learning about the rich history and legacy of all the different women who have contributed to this country in some way, and will serve as role models."
"We are gratified that so many organizations have banded together to support giving women's history a home," said Susan Jollie, President and CEO of the National Women's History Museum. "It will allow present and future generations to be educated about the contributions and achievements of women - who make up 52 percent of the population - have made to our country and the world. Women have not received the recognition they deserve."
Once established on the National Mall, the NWHM will showcase the full history of women in the United States and the contributions they have made and continue to make in the marketplace, arts and sciences, government, entertainment, education, home, and community.
About the National Women's History Museum
Founded in 1996, the National Women's History Museum is a non-partisan, non-profit educational institution dedicated to revealing, presenting, and celebrating the rich and diverse history of women's contributions that have shaped American culture and society. The Museum will be established in Washington, D.C., where the world's most prominent museums and monuments are located.