Violet
I am excited about the monument because it isn't fair that girls aren't on the National Mall.
“A key component to the amazing Women's Monument would be a story-telling project. A space at the site where girls and women (boys and men too!) can share their stories on Why Voting Matters to them. This could be an interactive space where narration from women who were a part of the 70-plus-year struggle to secure the vote could "tell" their stories as well, providing insight into their lives, what motivated them, what drove them, and what inspired them. Wherever possible, it would be great to focus on their younger lives so a connection can be made for young visitors to realize these were real girls and women, not so very different from themselves. A storytelling space can also be a collection of narratives to introduce future generations to this moment and help them to gain insight and understanding into the importance of Civic engagement and the vital stories of history. There would be a “matching” component where girls input answers to questions to match them with their “Suffs” counterpart to learn more of HERstory.”
“The vote is the emblem of your equality, women of America, the guarantee of your liberty.
Women have suffered agony of soul which you can never comprehend, that you and
your daughters might inherit political freedom.
That vote has been costly. Prize it!
The vote is a power, a weapon of
offense and defense, a prayer.
Understand what it means and what it can do for your country. Use it intelligently, conscientiously, prayerfully.”
— Carrie Chapman Catt
EVERY girl from the earliest age should be empowered with not only an understanding of Civics, but also a strong belief in herself. Every girl should realize the role that she can play, no matter her age, in helping her community, and her country to create change and ensure that democracy thrives to fulfill the promise of equality for all.
This Girl Can! Use Her Voice.
She Can! learn about how government works and why voting matters.
She Can! knock on doors, make phone calls, register voters, organize, rally, take action, support...at any level.
This Girl Can! be confident.
She Can! be inspired and inspiring.
She Can! be a Leader.
This Girl Can! Run! starting even in a school or community group election...
and She Can Vote!
“With no sacredness of the ballot, there can be no sacredness of human life itself”
— Ida B. Wells
Featured Submissions
Leslie
My grandmother, Juana, came to the United States from the Philippines in 1973 and opened the door to the life I was born into. She was gentle but strong, and her love shaped our big, close family in ways I carry with me every day. When I think about the monument, I see her and all the women whose quiet courage, often unseen, built the foundation for the generations that came after them.
Graham
I am inspired by the suffragists bravery when protesting outside the White House even when they knew they would get arrested.
Diane
I am inspired by the suffragists creativity and resilience. I sewed this replica banner with one of my favorite slogans from the suffrage movement, "Forward Into Light".
Sloane
My drawing is of a strong independent woman holding the women's suffrage flag that I feel represents this movement in history and continues to hold true today.
Lily
My monument idea is one that honors the fight of the past while allowing space for the future of women’s rights to come. It is of a sash winding and rising upwards towards a fire. The fire represents courage, endurance, and the many voices of women who fought, and continue to fight for equality. It is a flame that can never be extinguished. At the bottom of the sash are symbols of the early suffrage movement such as a “Women Vote” button, a suffrage bluebird, and a yellow suffrage rose. The middle of the sash has the saying, “They ignited the flame. Our Voices Keep it Burning.” This honors the fight of those who came before us, and encourages new voices to continue their efforts for equality. The top of the sash is left empty and unwritten to allow for the next generation to leave their mark.
