Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation Finalizes Permanent, Prominent, and Poetic Home on the National Mall
WASHINGTON, D.C. — December 4, 2025 — The Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation (WSNMF) today announced that it has received final and unanimous approval from the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) for a permanent two and a half acre site on the National Mall in Constitution Gardens. This approval marks the final step in the comprehensive site selection process and pinpoints the exact location–at the intersection of 19th St. and Constitution Avenue NW–where the Women’s Suffrage National Monument will stand on the National Mall, securing its presence among America’s greatest civic tributes.
“This monument will be a permanent, prominent, and poetic tribute within Constitution Gardens, a place that embodies the core ideals of our nation and a setting that will inspire all who visit, ”said Anna Laymon, President and CEO of the Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation. “It is profoundly fitting that this monument to the women who fought for suffrage and expanded our democracy will now stand in the most visited National Park in the United States.”
“We are incredibly grateful for the diligent review and expertise provided by the National Capital Planning Commission,” Laymon continued. “This milestone marks the start of a monumental new chapter.”
Today’s approval from the NCPC marks the culmination of a multi-step, rigorous review process. The project previously received unanimous approval from the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission (NCMAC) and unanimous approval from the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA). Additionally, the Foundation completed a public comment period with the National Park Service (NPS) as part of the public scoping process.
The approved site, located in Constitution Gardens, was chosen after a comprehensive selection process. Dedicated during America’s bicentennial as a living memorial to the U.S. Constitution, Constitution Gardens 50 acres are dedicated to the ideals enshrined in the Constitution: freedom, justice, and liberty for all.
Constitution Gardens’ unique, park-like setting and proximity to other significant memorials mean it will complement the existing monumental landscape while offering visitors an opportunity to honor women’s history on the National Mall.
The project is being undertaken in coordination with the National Park Service and the Trust for the National Mall. The Trust is currently implementing a multi-year revitalization of Constitution Gardens, an effort designed to enhance the park’s existing beauty and prepare it for its role in celebrating our nation’s 250th anniversary.
The journey to the Women’s Suffrage National Monument began with Public Law 116-217, signed on December 17, 2020 by President Donald J. Trump, which first authorized the monument to be built on federal land in Washington, D.C. Building on this initial success, the subsequent Women’s Suffrage National Monument Location Act, a bipartisan and bicameral bill, was signed into law on January 4, 2025 by President Joseph R. Biden. Sponsored by congressional champions including Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin), Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Representative Joe Neguse (D-Colorado), and Representative Debbie Lesko (R-Arizona), this legislation ensured the monument’s placement on the National Mall, paving the way for the site selection process and final approval.
“The enthusiasm behind this project has been inspiring,” said Laymon. “We are so grateful for the dedicated support from so many who made this possible, including President Trump; President Biden; our honorary chairs Mrs. Melania Trump, Dr. Jill Biden, Mrs. Michelle Obama, Mrs. Laura Bush, and Secretary Hillary Clinton; our bipartisan and bicameral Congressional sponsors, Senator Blackburn, Senator Baldwin, Congresswoman Lesko, Congressman Neguse and their dedicated staffs; our incredible Board of Directors; and all our partners and supporters.”
The Foundation’s upcoming project phase will focus on creative development and design. To initiate this process, the Foundation will soon invite imaginative proposals through an interactive national ideas program.
ABOUT THE WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE NATIONAL MONUMENT FOUNDATION
The Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation was authorized by Congress in Public Law 116-217 and Public Law 118-226 to lead the effort to fund, design, develop, and construct the Women’s Suffrage National Monument on the National Mall. The monument will transform the National Mall, foster a deeper understanding of the women who shaped American democracy, and inspire the continued pursuit of liberty and equality for all. For more information visit www.womensmonument.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
SUPPORT
The Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation relies on the generous financial support of our donors. Like most monuments and memorials, the Women’s Suffrage National Monument will be funded entirely through private donations, and your support is essential to telling the stories of generations of women who waged and won the battle for the ballot. Learn more about our movement, donate, and be a part of history.