Title: A Long-Awaited Women's Monument to Grace the National Mall
In the heart of D.C., the National Mall's 40 monuments and memorials have long told America's story-one filled with trailblazers and history makers. However, a significant chapter has been missing from this narrative-the role of women in shaping the nation. For five years, the Women's Suffrage National Monument Foundation and a lineup of lawmakers have been battling to rectify this oversight.
As of January 4, 2025, their relentless efforts have paid off. The Women's Suffrage National Monument Location Act, successfully sailing through bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress, was brought to a voice vote requiring unanimous consent. With not a single "nay" objected, the bill swiftly cleared both the House and the Senate before landing on President Joe Biden's desk. In his penultimate days in office, he signed it into law.
This legislative victory marked a thrilling turning point for Anna Laymon, the Women's Suffrage National Monument Foundation's executive director. "It was a monumental moment worth living for," she said. "The thought that just a single voice of dissent could've halted women from getting their due on the National Mall chills me to my core."
Despite initial resistance, the Congressional members who had raised their eyebrows eventually allowed the bill to pass without objection. With high-profile bills like the Social Security expansion and the government funding act vying for attention during that congressional session, the Women's Suffrage National Monument Bill managed to steal the spotlight.
Even with the necessary authorization, the journey to virtually non-existent acreage is far from over. Laymon and her team are now embarking on a long, arduous road to securing the site, funding, and design for the monument.
The approval process begins with consulting the Commission of Fine Arts, the National Capital Planning Commission, and the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission on site selection. This phase alone may take up to a year, after which it's time for a national call for designs, followed by fundraising, and construction-estimated to commence in 2032 or 2033.
The $80 million required for construction is a significant undertaking, but Laymon is unwavering in her commitment to an open submission process. "This monument is rooted in inclusivity, and we wouldn't have it any other way," Laymon shares. "We want everyone to feel a part of this monumental process, just as countless generations of women before us did in their fight for equal voices in democracy."
When completed, the Women's Suffrage National Monument will undoubtedly stand as a testament to the indomitable spirit of women who fought for equality and recognition. Like the Vietnam Memorial's groundbreaking design by young, female artist Maya Lin, Laymon hopes to uphold this tradition of empowering women in shaping history.
[1] Washington Post
[2] Smithsonian Magazine
[3] CNN
[4] New York Times
[5] BBC News
[6] USA Today
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The Women's Suffrage National Monument is expected to commemorate the women's suffrage movement, which started in the late 19th century and culminated in the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, granting women the right to vote. The monument aims to recognize the numerous generations of women who fought tirelessly for equal voices in democracy and the key leaders who led the charge for women's enfranchisement[1].
The preferred location for the monument is Constitution Gardens, an idyllic 50-acre stretch flanked by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Reflecting Pool, and the White House[2].
The Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation, launched in December 2020, will lead the monument’s planning and construction. The foundation boasts a unique distinction, as it is the only organization where all six living First Ladies serve as honorary chairs beyond the Kennedy Center, based on historical precedent[3].
The construction of the monument is expected to cost between $80 to $100 million. A few notable examples of monuments on the National Mall that share a similar budget include:
- Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial - $115 million[4]
- The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial - $110 million[5]
- The National September 11 Memorial & Museum - $750 million[6]
And if completed, this monument would mark the first and only dedicated to women's history on the National Mall. Given the history offered by this milestone, it's safe to expect the final cost to fall on the higher end of the estimated budget.
Anna Laymon, the Women's Suffrage National Monument Foundation's executive director, expressed her gratitude after the Women's Suffrage National Monument Location Act was signed into law. The act would eventually lead to the construction of a national monument in the National Mall's Constitution Gardens, marking a significant milestone in women's history.
The Women's Suffrage National Monument, set to commemorate the women's suffrage movement, will share the intriguing company of other historic monuments like the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall. With an estimated construction cost of $80 million, the monument will be the first and only dedicated to women's history in the area.
The location of the Women's Suffrage National Monument, slated for Constitution Gardens, has garnered bipartisan support. The foundation, under the leadership of Anna Laymon and six living First Ladies as honorary chairs, will embark on a journey filled with site selection, design selection, fundraising, and construction, a process expected to take place between 2032 or 2033.
The Women's Suffrage National Monument Foundation emphasizes inclusivity in their approach. Laymon's commitment to an open submission process for the monument's design reflects the history and spirit of the women's suffrage movement. This dedication to inclusivity and collaboration is an integral part of the foundation's mission, ensuring that everyone feels a part of the monument's construction and significance.
The National Mall Women's Monument, as it will come to be known, will stand as a powerful symbol of women's history and the indomitable spirit of the suffragettes. Anna Laymon and the Women's Suffrage National Monument Foundation aim to replicate the success of Maya Lin's Vietnam Women's Memorial, embodying the empowerment of women in shaping history.
