Historic Open Call for Ideas Invites Americans to Share their Vision for New Monument to Women’s Suffrage

First Time a Monument on the National Mall Has Ever  Invited the Public to Submit Inspiration

WASHINGTON, D.C. —  As part of Women’s History Month, The Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation has officially launched Monumental Ideas, a historic program that invites the public to have a voice in the design of the first-ever monument on the National Mall dedicated to women’s suffrage. While “our nation’s front yard” has seen professional design competitions, the public has never been invited through a nationwide ‘Ideas Call’ to help build the vision for a monument from the ground up.

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, the Foundation is ensuring women’s history takes center stage. Monumental Ideas ensures that the story of the women who fought for the right to vote is a centerpiece of the American conversation during this milestone year.

This isn’t a request for architectural blueprints; it’s a national brainstorming session. Envisioned as a multigenerational activity, the Foundation encourages visionaries of all ages to reflect on our history and help define the spirit of the Monument.

“Monumental Ideas is our way of ensuring the public has a voice as we imagine this historic tribute,” said Anna Laymon, President and CEO of the Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation. “By inviting the country into this process, we are ensuring that this tribute isn’t just a piece of history, but a reflection of the nation the suffragists helped build—a legacy we are proud to carry forward as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.”

Submissions for the Women’s Suffrage National Monument have the potential to inspire the final design and help shape history. Selected Monumental Ideas may be featured in the Monumental Ideas Gallery on the Foundation’s website, highlighted across social media platforms, or showcased during future Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation programs and events. 

The future monument, dedicated to the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, will be located at the intersection of 19th Street and Constitution Avenue NW on the National Mall. The expansive 2.5-acre site in Constitution Gardens was secured with unanimous federal approval late last year. Since the park itself serves as a living memorial to the U.S. Constitution, it is the ideal location for a tribute to the 19th Amendment and the expansion of American democracy.

Participation is straightforward and designed for everyone to join in, now through the July 4, 2026 submission deadline:

• Reflect: Think about the leaders, the milestones, or the women in your life who inspire you. 
• Create: Your idea could be a drawing, a sculpture, a painting, a photograph, a collage, a poem—anything that captures what you think can inspire the future design of the Monument.
• Capture: Take a clear photo of your inspiration.
• Share: Submit your photo and a few sentences about your vision here.

By inviting Americans to share their stories and creative ideas, the Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation is ensuring that this long-overdue tribute is rooted in the collective spirit of the country. Monumental Ideas is a rare chance for children and adults across the country to learn about the suffrage movement together. 

The Women’s Suffrage National Monument was established by a 2020 bipartisan Act of Congress and authorized to be built on the National Mall through the bipartisan Women’s Suffrage National Monument Location Act in 2025. Supported by unanimous federal approval and with every living First Lady—Mrs. Melania Trump, Dr. Jill Biden, Mrs. Michelle Obama, Mrs. Laura Bush, and Secretary Hillary Clinton—serving as Honorary Chairs, the project is moving women’s history from a footnote to a cornerstone of the National Mall. 

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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.