Bipartisan Women's Caucus Introduces Resolution for National Women's Suffrage Month

Press Release

Today, The Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives to designate August 2020 as National Women's Suffrage Month, honoring the centennial of the 19th Amendment.

"This year marks the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment which gave women the right to vote," said Caucus Co-Chair Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (R-AZ). "This resolution seeks to recognize this historic anniversary and remember the perseverance and determination of so many suffragists who fought for this right. I'm proud to join with my bipartisan colleagues to celebrate this historic occasion."

"As the Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Women's Caucus, I am proud to support the resolution designating August 2020 as National Women's Suffrage Month, recognizing the most fundamental right in our democracy -- the right to vote. Women have had to fight for each and every right we've secured, they have never been given to us," said Caucus Co-Chair Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence (D-MI). "The same remains true today as we continue to fight for issues that impact women and their families. As we celebrate this historic milestone, let us not forget the countless women of color whose contributions were paramount to the movement's success and who brought our nation closer to the American ideals of fairness and equality for all."

August 18, 2020, marks the centennial of the ratification of the 19th Amendment by three-fourths of the states and August 26, 2020, marks the centennial of the amendment becoming part of the United States Constitution. This resolution would acknowledge these historic anniversaries.

"This August, we celebrate 100 years of Women's Suffrage. While we celebrate the extraordinary steps of our predecessors to pass the 19th Amendment, we must also recognize the fight that remained to ensure all women--Black, Hispanic, Native American and Asian women--were guaranteed the right to vote," said Caucus Vice Chair Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (D-PA). "With this resolution, we are reminded of the importance of free and fair elections for all, and of the fight to protect access to the ballot box."

"As the first woman and sole representative for Puerto Rico in Congress, I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan resolution to recognize and honor all the sacrifices women have gone through to achieve an integral role in our democracy with the right to vote while paving the way for future generations," said Caucus Vice Chair Congresswoman Jenniffer González-Colón (R-PR). "If it wasn't for important milestones like the 19th Amendment, we wouldn't be living historical times with record numbers of women holding leadership positions like we do today. But we won't stop here, the work must continue to achieve women rights and equal representation. As the vice-chair of the Congressional Women's Caucus, I urge all of my fellow colleagues to honor the ratification of the 19th Amendment and continue to propose legislation that advance women causes."

The bipartisan resolution was also supported by the Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission.

"We are honored to have worked alongside Congresswoman Lesko, Congresswoman Lawrence, and the Bipartisan Women's Caucus to designate August as National Women's Suffrage Month," said Anna Laymon, Executive Director of the Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission. "Generations of women marched, picketed, and protested for the right to the ballot. In the centennial year of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, it is our great responsibility to ensure that their stories are celebrated, and their sacrifices remembered."

Since 1977, the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues has brought together members from both sides of the aisle to work in a bipartisan fashion to advance the policy priorities of women in Congress.