The White House made the announcement in a press release on Jan. 5. 

“Yesterday, I was proud to sign into law the Women’s Suffrage National Monument Location Act, authorizing the placement of a monument honoring the women’s suffrage movement on the National Mall,” Biden said. “In addition to commemorating the ratification of the 19th Amendment, the Women’s Suffrage National Monument will recognize the generations of women who fought to ensure an equal voice for women in our democracy and honor the leaders who fought for the enfranchisement of all women long after the 19th Amendment was ratified.”

The women’s national suffrage movement is traditionally recognized as originating with the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848. However, other historical accounts cite efforts preceding this summit as part of the movement to ensure women’s voting rights in the United States. This included many forms of political activism, including writing articles for news publications, lectures, marches, and engaging in civil disobedience. 

After decades of political pressure, an amendment to ensure women the right to vote was initially introduced in Congress in 1878 but repeatedly failed to advance. Nine states eventually passed legislation that granted women the right to vote by 1912. However, it would take until Aug. 18, 1920, for the country to ratify the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which granted women throughout the country the right to vote.

The effort to build a monument for the women’s suffrage movement originated in Dec. 2020, when Congress authorized the Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation to “establish a commemorative work on federal land in Washington, D.C. to honor the pioneers of the early American movement for women’s equality.” Honorary chairs of the organization include first lady Jill Biden and former first ladies Melania Trump, Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, and Hillary Clinton.

In his announcement about the monument, Biden stressed his administration’s commitment to acknowledging women’s contributions to the country’s history and promised to continue efforts to promote equality for all people.  

“Vice President Harris and I are committed to defending equal rights for all Americans, to strengthening the federal government’s recognition of women’s contributions to our nation’s history, and to inspiring the next generation to create a more equal future for all,” Biden said.