National Park Service The main park brochure is available in a variety of formats:
Audio DescriptionYou can download the files for the audio described version of the brochure. BrailleText Only Welcome to the audio described version of Belmont Paul Women's Equality National Monument's official print brochure. Through text and audio descriptions of photos, illustrations, and maps, this version interprets the two sided color brochure that visitors to the Belmont Paul Women's Equality National Monument receive. The brochure explores the history of the park, some of its highlights, and information for planning your visit.
This audio version lasts about 60 minutes which we have divided into 19 sections as a way to improve the listening experience. Sections one through nine cover the front of the brochure and include information regarding Alice Paul and the National Woman's Party, other women who fought for women's right to vote, and the story of ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution enfranchising women. Sections ten through nineteen cover the back of the brochure which consists of stories of the ongoing struggle for women's equality. Other highlights information about the museum location and accessibility.
Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument, located in Washington, D.C., is part of the National Park Service, within the Department of the Interior. The monument is a historic house and museum of the U.S. women's suffrage and equal rights movements located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, D.C. behind the U.S Capitol. This 200-year old house has served as the National Woman's Party headquarters since 1929 and was designated a National Monument by President Barack Obama in 2016. Named after suffragists and National Woman's Party leaders Alva Belmont and Alice Paul, this monument tells the story of a community of innovative women leaders who dedicated their lives to the fight for women's rights. This house, located on land traditionally used by Nacotchtank or Anocastans, is one of the oldest residences of Washington, D.C.. It has connections to prominent historical figures such as the second Lord Baltimore, former Treasury Secretary Albert Gallatin, and the family of Robert Sewall. We invite you to visit and learn more about the dynamic, resourceful women who shaped public opinion about the equality of women. To find out more about what resources might be available or to contact the site directly, visit the "Accessibility" and "More Information" sections at the end of this audio-described brochure.
The front of the brochure is a collage of mostly black and white photographs tinted with purple and gold. The page includes quotes, and informational text to introduce visitors to the history of women's suffrage. Photographs and text throughout highlight prominent women of the movement, as well as important events. Across the top is a black band with the title Belmont-Paul Women's Equality in white letters. Next to the title is smaller text that reads Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument, Washington, D.C. National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. In the far right corner is a small National Park Service Arrowhead logo. In a row below the black banner is a horizontal image panel showing events in the suffrage movement from 1913 through 1920. The center labeled "Forward Through the Darkness" includes a large image of Alice Paul surrounded by smaller pictures of women who fought for the right to vote. The bottom adds additional pictures and maps with the title "The March For Suffrage." A yellow band includes the words "Before Ratification," "Ratification," and "After Ratification." Below each word are quotes and images telling stories of women's suffrage in the United States from 1913 to 1920 and beyond including a section titled "Forward Out of Error."
Image 1 of 6: Alice PaulDescription:A dark-haired, fair skinned woman faces the camera, her body positioned at a 3/4 angle. She has round, rosy cheeks and her mouth is slightly open. Her left arm is lowered by her side, fingers curling gently. Her right arm raises towards a huge horizontal banner known as a Ratification Banner, a rounded chalice in her hand as though she is raising a celebratory toast towards the banner. The banner has three wide horizontal stripes with two rows of stars sewn onto the central strip. The top stripe is lightly colorized and appears to be a bright shade. The central strip is very light while the bottom stripe is very dark. Towards the top of the light central stripe is a row of stars that were sewn onto the banner and are the same the same shade as the top stripe. Towards the bottom of the light central stripe is a row of more faded stars contrasting against the lighter background. Behind the woman, a smaller hand-held flag points towards and rests against the large banner. The smaller flag has the same stripe pattern as the Ratification banner but has no stars sewn onto it. Caption: Alice Paul celebrates Nineteenth Amendment, 1920. Credit: National Woman's Party Image 2 of 6: Suffragist hikersDescription:Four light skinned women of different ages stand looking sternly into the camera. They are all wearing dark cloaks over dark dresses and boots with their hair tightly tucked into caps. One woman's dark cap flows to the back and has a white stripe framing her forehead reminiscent of a religious head covering. The women appear to be standing on a rooftop or balcony with buildings in the background. A leaning sign separates the two women standing to the left and the two woman standing to the right. Three of the four women hold walking sticks and two wear bags over their shoulders or neck. The woman to the far left has a banner titled "Vote for Women" fixed to her front. Caption: Suffragists hike from New York City to Washington, DC, 1913. Credit: Library of Congress Image 3 of 6: Mary WinsorDescription: A slightly smiling woman with a light complexion directly faces the camera, her outstretched arms holding a large banner. It reads "To Ask Freedom For Women Is Not A Crime Suffrage Prisoners Should Not Be Treated As Criminals." She wears a light colored blousy top with a loose ruffled round neckline and a darker brimmed hat.Caption: Mary Winsor, 1917 Credit: National Woman's Party Image 4 of 6: Suffrage processionsDescription: A white woman with dark hair wearing a costume triumphantly stands front and center while, to the right in the photo, at least seven women walk away from the steps of the imposing Neoclassical building behind her. The woman in the foreground is dressed as an ancient Greek or Roman goddess. She wears a loose flowing white dress with a tight bodice. A cape with bold, alternating light and dark stripes falls around her shoulders, secured by a braided rope that drapes around her shoulders and down her front. They end in tassels, one below her hip and one below her knees. She wears a helmet, thick bracelets, and vertically holds in her extended right hand a staff or spear topped with an eagle. Behind and to the right, the seven women wear flowing white clothes with white bands wrapped low across their forehead. The building has deep steps in front of an Ionic colonnade with rows of windows behind it. In the background and to the right of the photo, a platform juts out from the porch. A shadowy figure in dark clothing stands on the platform and holds the staff of an American flag upright. It billows above the person's head. In the background to the left of the photo is a woman dressed similarly to the marching women. She stands on the building's steps and holds a banner in front of her body.Caption: Woman Suffrage Procession, Washington, DC, 1913 Credit: Library of Congress Image 5 of 6: Suffragist pamphletDescription:This image shows an illustrated cover of the June 21, 1919 issue of a publication of The Suffragist featuring a pencil-drawn political allegory of two women embracing, their arms wrapped tightly around one another. The allegory takes up two thirds of the cover. It shows a woman slightly left of center who is dressed in a chiton, a type of traditional dress for ancient Greek and Roman men and women. She wears sandals on her feet, her wavy hair pulled back from her face, and an over-the-shoulder bag resting on her left hip. On her head sits a diadem, a type of ancient crown consisting of an ornamental, jeweled headband. She twists her body to passionately grab and lean into the woman in front of her, wrapping her in a tight hug. She wears a sash where handwritten letters spell "Justice" and in her left hand, she holds a pair of scales. In her right hand, she holds a scroll labeled "Suffrage Amendment" in hand-drawn letters. The woman she embraces wears a similar hair style, a light colored dress falling to her ankle, and high-healed shoes. She is titled "American Womanhood" in hand-lettering. Centered below and between the women is typed text reading "At Last." To the bottom left of the woman named "American Womanhood" is an artist's signature and, beneath it in very small typed text, "Courtesy Philadelphia Evening Public Ledger." The cover's text is typed in dark gray or black unless otherwise noted and the drawing is in shades of graphite. The gray text and drawing stands out on the light plain background. "The Suffragist" title is centered in large dark letters in a curvy serif font that occupies most of the top third of the cover. Smaller bold letters below the title slightly left of center note "Official Weekly Organ of the National Woman's Party." To the right of the cover, small letters read "Saturday, June 21, 1919." To the right of the cover above the title reads "Five Cents." Smaller, difficult to read text above that reaches the top of the cover and indicates the issue volume and number. The faded stamp of the seal of Bryn Mawr College, listing the college name, is centered on the lower curve of the "g" in Suffragist. Caption: The Suffragist, 1919. Credit: Bryn Mawr College Library Image 6 of 6: Protestors at the White HouseDescription:At least thirteen women stand in a horizontal line outside on a sidewalk in front of a decorative wrought iron fence with vertical slats and pointed tops in front of the White House. They hold tall pale banners on poles that extend to twice the women's height. Right of center is a banner that reads "Mr President How Long Must Women Wait For Liberty." In the background center of the photograph is the front porch, pediment, and colonnade that makes up the distinctive North Portico of the White House flanked by symmetrical East and West wings. The women dress uniformly and plainly with long buttoned-up coats with dark ankle-length dresses peeking out underneath, darks boot, dark hats, and light colored sashes. Each sash is bisected by a central ribbon running the length of the sash. Sashes drape over their left shoulders and stretch across the body to rest above their right hips. Some of the women appear to carry bulky furs or bags using their left arm. Most carry banner poles in their right hand or with both hands. Caption: “Silent Sentinels” at the White House, 1917 Credit: Library of Congress
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A thin fair-skinned woman with large, expressive eyes turns her head to look directly into the camera. She leans forward slightly onto a desk where her arms rest upon a piece of paper she appears to be marking with her right hand. Her jaw is set and she looks determined. She does not smile. She wears a light colored blousy dress with a ruffled rounded collar and 3/4 length sleeves, cinched at the waist. Her dark hair is pushed upwards into a large dark, plush hat. The hat's brim stretches upwards and appears to have a decorate brooch above her left ear. Caption: Alice Paul (1885–1977) grew up in a Quaker home where values of equality and dedication to a divinely inspired “concern” shaped her pursuits. Paul committed her life to the fight for women’s equality. Credit: Library of Congress Quote: "We women of America tell you that America is not a democracy. Twenty million women are denied the right to vote." –Alice Paul, 1917 Related Text: After the deaths of suffragists Elizabeth Cady Stanton in 1902 and Susan B. Anthony in 1906, the US women’s suffrage movement lacked focus and support. Some advocated only for state suffrage laws, but Alice Paul wanted to pass an amendment to the US Constitution. Paul joined the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) and led its Congressional Committee in Washington, DC. To assist NAWSA and raise funds to lobby for a federal amendment, she created the Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage (CU) in 1913. NAWSA’s leadership found her tactics to be too radical, so in 1914 the CU split from NAWSA. The CU formed the Woman’s Party in 1916. In 1917 they merged and formed the National Woman’s Party (NWP). The NWP was the world’s first women’s political party. Its goal was immediate passage of a federal women’s suffrage amendment. With Paul’s leadership, the NWP strategically used nonviolent protests, marches, hunger strikes, lobbying, publications, and more to advance women’s suffrage across the nation. Gaining attention and support through sheer persistence, Paul and the NWP helped secure ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment. Image 1 of 7: Alva BelmontDescription: The largest of the series of small oval head and shoulders studio portraits features Alva Belmont posed against a dark background. Her photo sits at the top of this photo series, arranged in a semicircle framing the much larger photo of Alice Paul to the right. She positions her body directly towards the camera while turning her face slightly away and to the right. This allows light from the right side of the photograph to illuminate the left side of her face in slight profile. Her dark eyes evade the camera, fixing on a point slightly to her right. Ms. Belmont, a white woman, has dark hair with short asymmetrical bangs visible beneath a large dark wide brimmed hat. Her cheeks and downward turned mouth droop slightly above her dimpled chin. She wears a dark coat with widely spaced light buttons arranged vertically down her front. A prominent high collar completely conceals her neck. Caption: Alva Belmont Credit: National Woman's Party Related Text: Alva Belmont (1853–1933) used her resources and influence to advance the women’s movement. A long-serving NWP president, she was key to NWP’s purchase of the Sewall House in 1929. Image 2 of 7: Ida B. WellsDescription: Below and to the left of Alva Belmont's photo is a small oval studio portrait offering a tight shot of Ida B. Wells' rounded face and shoulder, cutting off just below her clavicle. A small ball of light glows behind her left shoulder against an otherwise dark background. Her left shoulder is close to the camera, her sternum slightly twisted to her right to let light illuminate most of her face. She looks over her left shoulder, her wide almond eyes glancing beyond the camera. Ms. Wells, a Black woman, wears her voluminous hair pulled back away from her face and smoothed into a deep right side part. The graying hair at her right temple contrasts with her smooth dark skin. The corners of her mouth lift lightly into a very slight smile. She wears a string of luminescent pearls, a dark lacy top with a small V necked collar, and a black coat with a large button on her left lapel. Caption: Ida B. Wells Credit: University of Chicago Library Special Collections Related Text: Ida B. Wells (1862–1931) was a key advocate for racial equality who exposed violent injustices against African Americans. She believed women’s suffrage would lead to full citizenship for all African Americans. Image 3 of 7: Inez MilhollandDescription:Directly below Ida Wells' photo is a medium sized oval studio portrait shows the left side of Inez Milholland's taught face. Her face in profile stands out against an illuminated background glowing above her right shoulder. Ms. Milholland, a white woman, has wavy brown hair pulled back loosely and low over her ears. She wears a light top with a relaxed neckline. She has a prominent nose, chin, small eyes, and a full lower lip. Her mouth is relaxed and she wears a serene expression. Caption: Inez Milholland Credit: Library of Congress Related Text: Inez Milholland (1886–1916) worked closely with Alice Paul as a leading member of the NWP. A prominent figure in the women’s movement, she died in California during an NWP speaking tour for women’s suffrage. Image 4 of 7: Rose WinslowDescription:Below and to the right of Inez Milholland's photo is another medium-sized oval head and shoulder studio portrait with Rose Winslow posed against an illuminated background. Her face and chest slightly angles away from from the camera. Light falls on her face, neck, and collar bone. Ms. Winslow, a straight faced white woman with high cheekbones and a smooth square face, has traces of wispy bangs falling out of her dark wide-brimmed hat. The rest of her hair is hidden. She wears a light shirt with tight fitting round neckline under a dark sleeveless top or dress. Caption: Rose Winslow Credit: Library of Congress Related Text: Rose Winslow (1889–1977), born Ruza Wenclawska, was a Polish immigrant, US factory worker, and trade union organizer. She joined the NWP to campaign for women’s suffrage and labor rights, braving force-feedings while in jail. Image 5 of 7: Lucy BurnsDescription: Below and to the right of Rose Winslow's photo is the last in the series of the oval head and shoulder studio portraits. Sitting at the bottom right of the semicircle of photos is a medium sized portrait of Lucy Burns against a black background. Her right shoulder is closest to the camera and she turns towards the camera to look directly into the lens. Ms. Burns, a white woman, has thick dark smooth hair swept into a loose bouffant bun on the top of her head towards the back. She smiles slightly and warmly, leaning forward conversationally She wears a dark satiny top with delicate central buttons and a light collar around her neck. A dark beaded double stranded necklace hangs mid sternum.Caption: Lucy Burns Credit: Library of Congress Related Text: Lucy Burns (1879–1966) met Alice Paul in the United Kingdom while campaigning for women’s suffrage. There, they learned civil disobedience tactics. A CU and NWP founder, Burns edited The Suffragist from 1914–17. Image 6 of 7: Elizabeth Cady StantonDescription:To the far right of the page, above informational text about Alice Paul and the National Woman's Party, are two more small oval head and shoulders studio portraits. Elizabeth Cady Stanton's cut out three quarters portrait is the largest and is on the left. Her fleshy jawline and bright hair stand out against a dark background. Ms. Stanton, a white woman, slightly purses her lips and looks towards the camera with her big wide, down turned eyes. A fancy dark textured coat and a dark top with transparent trim cloak her wide shoulders. She wears a dark beaded choker with a large central ornament resting on her chest. She has thick textured white hair and wears a lacy black veil on her crown. While her face appears unlined, her lower face is a little lax. Coupled with the bright white of her hair, she seems older than middle aged in this photograph. Caption: Elizabeth Cady Stanton Credit: National Portrait Gallery Image 7 of 7: Susan B. AnthonyDescription: To the right of Elizabeth Cady Stanton's photograph is a small cut out three quarters portrait of a bespectacled elderly Susan B. Anthony. The left side of her face is lit and visible while the right side is obscured by shadows. She stares blankly into the distance. Ms. Anthony, a white woman, has small deep set eyes, a pointed nose, and thin lips pressed tightly together. Her face is lined and expressionless. She dresses in a plain high collared dark top with a brooch at her sternal notch. Her thin light hair is parted in the center and pulled back loosely from her face. It falls flatly upon the tops of her ears.Caption: Susan B. Anthony Credit: National Portrait Gallery Quote: “Forward through the Darkness” –Quoted headlines are from a banner by Inez Milholland, 1911 Related Text: Before August 26, 1920, millions of women in the United States did not have the right to vote. States could use sex as a reason to restrict or refuse women voters because there was no federal law to stop them. Women’s suffragists, including Alice Paul and Alva Belmont, wanted to change this. They deployed a bold strategy, even though it risked their freedom, health, and safety. Their persistence led to the Nineteenth Amendment. The Nineteenth Amendment did not give women equal rights. It did not stop discrimination against women of color, who were often denied the right to vote. It did help light the way for civil rights and equality movements in the United States and the world.
This section defines the term "suffrage" and offers pronunciation cues. "Suffrage" is written in large letters, divided into its two syllables separated by a dot. Directly below the term "suffrage" it is written phonetically. The term is defined in smaller letters to the right:
suf·frage /'s frij/ e noun 1. The right or privilege of voting. 2. The exercise of such a right. Synonyms: enfranchisement, right to vote, the vote; voice, say, choice. Antonyms: disenfranchisement. ”Suffrage for women is not yet a universal condition.”
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An outline map of the 48 contiguous states of the United States. Most of the states are unshaded. Nine states are colored gold. There are no names or labels on the map. The nine shaded states are Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Wyoming, Colorado, and Kansas. Related Text: Nine states (in gold) had given women full voting rights. In the Alaska territory, white women could vote by 1913. On June 4, 1919, Congress passed the Women’s Suffrage Amendment, then sent it to the states for ratification. Approval was needed from 36 of the 48 states
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To the left of the text, there are two vertical, curved rows of fabric stars with six in each row. Each of the stars has white stitches around the perimeter. The stars in the row closest to the text are gold and the stars in the next row are purple. To the lower left of the purple stars is an oval inset photograph captioned "New York Suffrage Parade, 1915" from the Library of Congress. The edges of the photograph are faded and blend into the background of the brochure. The image shows two rows of people processing in a parade outside along a street photographed from above. There are six in the first row, four in the second row, and a few others behind the second row. The way the image is cropped, it appears that they are part of a larger group. The figures are dressed in long white dresses, some wearing darker capes. All wear white hats and carry individual rectangular placards on poles. There is writing on the placards but the text is illegible. Along the upper right section of the photograph, a crowd of people wearing darker clothes is visible although their individual features are indistinct. It appears that the original photograph was black and white but the placards have been colorized in this image to appear shaded in lavender. Credit: Library of Congress Related Text: On August 18, 1920, Tennessee was the 36th state to ratify the amendment. The Nineteenth Amendment went into effect on August 26, 1920.
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Above the text of the Nineteenth Amendment and to the left of the chart listing state ratification dates, there is an outline map of the 48 contiguous states of the United States. There are no labels or markings other than the state outlines. Thirty six of the states are shaded in gold. The rest are white. The unshaded states are Vermont, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida. Related Text: The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. - Nineteenth Amendment Decades pass before all 48 states ratify the amendment.
Image 1 of 7: Inez Milholland on a horseDescription:A woman with long, dark, wavy hair sits astride a white horse. The photograph is taken in profile from the rider's right side and the entire horse is visible. A person wearing coat, gloves, a brimmed hat, and trousers stands on the opposite side of the horse near its head and holds the bridle. The face of this person is obscured. In the background are several trees bare of leaves. There is a crowd of men and boys gathered behind the horse wearing darker clothing and hats. The horse's back right leg is slightly bent but its other legs are straight. The woman holds the reigns with white gloved hands resting on the saddle and looks forward with a serious expression. She wears a long white cape which is draped around her and over the back end of the horse. She wears a tiara in her hair. Her clothing underneath the cape appears to be a white ruffled dress with a long skirt. She wears boots and her visible right foot is in a stirrup. In front of the horse with back to the camera, a person wearing a coat and hat holds an American flag. Caption: Inez Milholland leads the Woman Suffrage Procession, 1913. Credit: Library of Congress Image 2 of 7: Suffrage marchesDescription:In the center of the black and white photograph, four women wearing dark coats and hats with white blouses and gloves sit astride dark colored horses on a city street. Behind them to the right is the dome of the U.S. Capitol. Along the left side of the image are rowhouse buildings along the street. Crowds are gathered on the side of the road in front of the buildings. In the left foreground, a woman dressed in white with a dark cape and hat stands in front of the horses holding an American flag. A woman in a dark robe with white trim, possibly academic regalia, and a dark hat, stands in front and to the right of the horses, holding a pole with a small triangular banner. Behind her are possibly two other figures who are slightly obscured, at least one also on horseback. Caption: The Woman Suffrage Procession marches in front of the US Capitol, 1913. Credit: Library of Congress Image 3 of 7: Lucy Burns Description: Black and white photograph of a woman seated in front of a jail cell with vertical round bars crossed at intervals by horizontal flat slats. Behind her in the cell, cots, coat hooks, and some light-colored clothing are visible. On the right side near her head, the lock on the closed cell door has the number 12 above the key hole. Her dark, wiry hair is parted on the right side and swept loosely up in the back over her ears. She wears a white dress with a V neck and a wide tapered collar and long, loose sleeves. She holds an open book in her lap but stares straight into the camera with a blank, somewhat dazed expression. She does not smile. Caption: On November 14, 1917, Lucy Burns and others faced a “Night of Terror” at Virginia’s Occoquan Workhouse. Nearly 40 guards grabbed, dragged, chained up, punched, kicked, pinched, choked, and beat the suffragists until they were unconscious. Credit: National Woman's Party Image 4 of 7: Suffrage paradeDescription:The edges of the photograph are faded and blend into the background of the brochure. The image shows two rows of people processing in a parade outside along a street photographed from above. There are six in the first row, four in the second row, and a few others behind the second row. The way the image is cropped, it appears that they are part of a larger group. The figures are dressed in long white dresses, some wearing darker capes. All wear white hats and carry individual placards on poles. There is writing on the placards but the text is illegible. Along the upper right section of the photograph, a crowd of people wearing darker clothes is visible although their individual features are indistinct. It appears that the original photograph was black and white but the placards have been colorized in this image to appear shaded in lavender. Caption: New York suffrage parade, 1915 Credit: Library of Congress Image 5 of 7: Ida B. WellsDescription:A grainy, black and white newsprint photograph of several women outside with bare trees behind them. The Black woman in the front right of the group wears a fur coat and carries a fur muff. She holds a white triangular pennant on a pole. The pennant has dark trim around it and several stars. The writing on the pennant is illegible. Over her coat, she wears a stiff white scarf with trim and stars that match the pennant, crossed at her neck. She wears a stiff cap with turned up, crossed brim with similar markings. She smiles slightly as she looks off to the right with a confident expression. Behind her are seven to ten white women who wear similarly styled scarves and hats, some wearing cloth coats. The white woman walking to the left of the Black woman wears a sash that reads "No Vote No Tax." Behind and to the right a dark banner is held aloft with light trim. The writing on the banner is not visible in this photograph Caption: Ida B. Wells (right) with the Illinois delegation, 1913 Credit: Chicago Tribune Image 6 of 7: Delta Sigma ThetaDescription:Nineteen Black women pose for a photograph in three loose horizontal rows. Eight women in the front wear white blouses and long white skirts, three with long neckties. The other women wear dark academic robes with white collared blouses and dark mortarboard caps with tassels. In front of the first row, a large rectangular banner reads "Alpha Chapter" across the top right. In a diagonal row are three large Greek letters, Delta, Sigma, and Theta. Below the Greek characters at the bottom left of the banner, it reads "Sorority." Credit: Moorland- Spingarn Research Center, Howard University Archive Image 7 of 7: Mary Church TerrellDescription:Three quarter length profile studio portrait of a Black woman in her mid forties taken of her left side with a plain shaded background. The picture has been colorized with violet tones. She wears a light colored, high necked dress with lace insets around the collar and in the sleeve which reaches to mid-bicep. There is fringed trim along the end of the sleeve and the bodice of the dress. Her hair is pinned in a bun or twist in the back with a loose sweep over her ear which is visible. There are wispy curls along her temple. She looks off camera to the left slightly turned toward her shoulder. Her expression reflects calm seriousness without a smile. She has a fair complexion, sloped full nose, small oval lidded eyes and defined full closed lips. Caption: Mary Church Terrell Credit: Library of Congress Quotes: "Inaction establishes just as clear a record as does a policy of open hostility." –Lucy Burns, 1913 "I am prepared to sacrifice every so-called privilege I possess in order to have a few rights." –Inez Milholland, 1909 "The word “people” has been turned and twisted to mean boys instead of girls, white instead of black." –Mary Church Terrell, 1912 Related Text"Forward out of error"Activist Mary Church Terrell said African American women bear a “double burden” of race and sex. As one of few African Americans active with NAWSA, Terrell advocated for racial unity in the women’s suffrage movement. Worried about losing support from southern states, NAWSA let African Americans “march if they cared to” in the March 3, 1913, Woman Suffrage Procession but limited and controlled their presence. Terrell marched with Howard University’s Delta Sigma Theta (above right), the only African American organization in the procession, placed in the back with student groups. Ida B. Wells of Chicago (left) was told to march at the back of the procession with the “colored delegation.” Instead, Wells waited with spectators until her state delegation passed by; then, she stepped out and marched with the whites of Illinois. Despite the Nineteenth Amendment, states continued to use literacy tests, poll taxes, and residency requirements to disenfranchise women of color. African American women secured their right to vote through the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965.
The back of the brochure continues the story of the fight for women's equality after the ratification of the 19th Amendment. The background of the horizontal band across the top quarter of the page is gold with the title "Forward Into Light." This section includes a painting of Alice Paul and a photograph of women marching in support of the Equal Rights Amendment. Below this section is a timeline of significant events from 1920 through the 1970s with another section updating the status of the ERA. The main portion of the brochure has a white background with a photograph of women members of Congress posing on a curving staircase, most wearing white. Arranged around the large photo are smaller headshots of various women trailblazers in politics and government with short biographies. The most prominent is Jeanette Rankin with the text "Leave Behind the Night" next to her picture. There are insets of a street map showing the location of Belmont-Paul and a chart representing the percentage of women serving in Congress. The bottom section has a black background with photographs of the outside of the Belmont Paul house and the interior front hall with a stained glass window over the door. Text provides directions, operating and accessibility information for the museum along with National Woman's Party and National Park Foundation logos.
Image 1 of 2Description:A vertical section of a painting of a seated Alice Paul with her body turned toward the right. She faces front over her left shoulder. She wears a purple wrap dress with gray trim and long sleeves. The shawl style gray collar meets at a broach in the center with a grey underblouse showing at the V neck. Her hands are loosely clasped in her lap. Her brown hair is parted on the left of her head and pulled back loosely, covering her ears. Her expression is the hint of a pout. She looks serious but serene, with the left side of her face slightly in shadow. The yellow background includes faint images of letters which represent the text of the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution, although the edges are blurred and the entire text is not visible or legible. Caption: Alice Paul portrait by Sandra Faulstich Harris, 2013. Credit: NPS / Lisa Sullivan. Image 2 of 2Description:A blurred, gold tinted photograph of a large group of women marching in rows outside along Pennsylvania Avenue, with the dome of the U.S. Capitol in the background. All of the women wear white, although the style of their outfits vary. Some wear pants and others skirts. Some of the marchers are wearing hats or sashes. The photo is taken at a distance and the features of the marchers are indistinct. Above them stretches a large banner on poles held by women at the right and left edges of the group. The banner is of dark fabric with white block letters that read, "Equality of Rights Under the Law Shall Not Be Denied or Abridged by the United States or by any State on Account of Sex." Caption: An August 27, 1977, ERA march banner shows the amendment’s current text. Credit: DC Public Library, Star Collection © Washington Post. Related TextThe Nineteenth Amendment was a momentous achievement, but women still faced sex discrimination, unequal treatment, and harassment. Laws on property, citizenship, marriage, labor, and pay continued to limit women’s rights and potential. For women of color, discrimination was twofold.With Alva Belmont’s support, Alice Paul reactivated the National Woman’s Party (NWP) to take up the cause of full equality for women. While the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was debated, the NWP pushed for legal reforms, recruited female political candidates, and lobbied for Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which prohibits sex-based and other employment discrimination. Paul also founded the World Woman’s Party (1938–54) to advocate for equal rights and end sex-based discrimination worldwide. Her achievements and drive inspire the ongoing work for women’s rights and equality.
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An illustrated, outline map of the contiguous states of the United States, with Alaska and Hawaii shown in the lower left corner. There are no markings or labels on the map. The following state outlines are shaded dark purple: Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, Kansas, Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, Virginia, Alaska, Hawaii. These states are shaded in gold: Utah, Arizona, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida States shaded in lavender or light purple: Idaho, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kentucky, Tennessee Caption: States that have not ratified ERA: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah. States that rescinded ratification: Idaho, Kentucky, Nebraska, South Dakota, Tennessee Related Text:
OverviewThis section shows a collage of images. The top half of the collage has 11 images with captions, all showing head and shoulders portraits of women. The text in the upper left corner next to the image of Jeannette Rankin is dark yellow. The image of Jeanette Rankin is in shades of brown. The rest of the portrait images in the top half have purple text next to black and white heads, the images have been slightly grayed out. The bottom half of the collage shows an image from above looking down upon a curving white staircase with brass handrails. The staircase is packed with women of varying ages and skin tones, all wearing white suits, smiling and looking up at the viewer. One woman in the center of the group has a purple blouse, and next to her in a caption with a black background and gold text it identifies her as Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.Image 1 of 13: Jeannette RankinDescription:This image is of a black and white photograph, cut out to show only the head and shoulders of a middle aged white woman. The image shows in shades of brown, with the caption in yellow gold text on a white background. The woman has her hair piled on top of her head, appearing as if she is wearing a crown of curly dark hair. She is wearing a pearl necklace, a white lace shirt that buttons up the front, and a coat with lapels wide enough to cover her shoulders. The dark colored lapels are shiny looking and smooth, contrasting with the white of the coat. Her brows draw together slightly, and she has heavily lidded eyes with an almond shape. The nose creates a strong line down the center of her face, and her mouth is resting in a pensive, unsmiling expression. Caption: Jeannette Rankin (1880–1973) First woman in the US Congress. Represented Montana in the House of Representatives. Today, a record number of women serve. Credit: Library of Congress Related Text: Alva Belmont, Alice Paul, and the National Woman’s Party are among many trailblazers of the women’s movement. Since the Nineteenth Amendment, America and the world have made great strides for women’s rights. Today, the path forward for women’s equality continues—redefining society and inspiring future generations. Image 2 of 13: Patsy Matsu Takemoto MinkDescription:This image is black and white photo, with a hint of a gray background. The image shows the face of an Asian woman with dark hair that is in a short style that lifts wavy hair up and away from her forehead. Her smile shows her teeth and darkish lipstick. Her nose is petite. Her eyes have the epicanthal fold that can indicate Asian heritage, and her brows are thin arches above her eyes. You can see a bit of a white, rounded collar and part of a white shirt. Caption: Patsy Matsu Takemoto Mink (1927–2002) First woman of color elected to US Congress. First Asian American to seek presidential nomination. Coauthored Title IX amendment of Higher Education Act. Credit: Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives Image 3 of 13: Condoleezza RiceThis images depicts an African American woman with sleek, styled dark hair that sweeps back from her face and is almost touching her shoulders. You can see her right ear. She is smiling and looking just to the right of the viewer. She has an open gaze, dark eyes with brows that arc from the inner corner of her eyes. Her nose is short and straight, and the smile shows confidence. She is wearing lipstick. A dark collar on her dress frames a simple necklace.Caption: Condoleezza Rice (1954–) First African American woman secretary of state. First woman national security advisor. Credit: National Archives Image 4 of 13: Bertha K. LandesDescription:Image shows a woman with very dark hair styled closely to her head in rippling waves known as "Marcel waves." She looks straight at the viewer with a serious expression. She has light skin. Her strong, dominant features include dark eyebrows accenting deep set eyes, a strong, straight nose, and lips closed in a straight line with curved lines accenting either side of her mouth. She is wearing a white top or scarf that covers the neck, and a dark cardigan or jacket. Caption: Bertha K. Landes (1868–1943) First woman mayor of a major US city (Seattle) and one of the first two women on its city council. Credit: Seattle Municipal Archives Image 5 of 13: Margaret Chase SmithDescription:The image is a black and white head shot of a white woman, with a short curly hairstyle that sweeps up and off her face. Her hair is light or white on the top, making it look like her hair diffuses into the white background of the page, and darker near her ears and neck. She looks at the viewer with closed lips curved in a slight smile. She wears lipstick. Strong dark brows frame eyes that appear to be squinting slightly, as if she is trying to see something far away. She has a dark V neck top and a pearl necklace with multiple strands framing her throat. Caption: Margaret Chase Smith (1897–1995) First woman from Maine in US Congress. First woman to serve in both houses of US Congress. Credit: Collection of the US House of Representatives Image 6 of 13: Ileana Ros-LehtinenDescription:Black and white head shot of a woman with a round face and slight double chin. Her slightly wavy hair is blonde or white. She wears wire rimmed oval glasses. She has very light eyebrows that are difficult to make out in the image. Her skin is fair. She gazes to the right of the viewer. Her nose has a slight hook shape, and her closed lips have a slight smile. Curved lines accent either side of her mouth. She has a white shirt with collar, open at the neck, and a dark cardigan or jacket on her shoulders. Caption: Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (1952–) First Cuban American and first Latina elected to US Congress. Credit: Florida Politics Image 7 of 13: Shirley ChisholmDescription:The black and white image shows a dark skinned woman with dark curly hair framing her face. She wears cat eye glasses with a light colored frame, and round button earrings. She gazes at the viewer, unsmiling. Her nose is broad, and her lips are closed, giving an impression of firm resolve. Caption: Shirley Chisholm (1924– 2005) First African American woman elected to Congress. First African American to run for presidential nomination of a major US political party Credit: Library of Congress Image 8 of 13: Ruth Bader GinsburgDescription: Image shows a black and white head shot of a fair skinned woman, looking directly at the viewer. Her hair is dark, smooth, and pulled back away from her face. Her ears are visible, sticking out just a little bit from her head. She wears glasses with dark frames. Her face has deep grooves running from her nose in an arc around her mouth. Her mouth is unsmiling, lips closed. She is wearing an intricate lace or beaded collar over dark robes.Caption: Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933–) Legal advocate for women’s rights and gender equality. US Supreme Court justice. Credit: Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States Image 9 of 13: Hillary Rodham ClintonDescription:The image is a black and white head shot of a fair skinned woman, gazing to the viewer's right. The profile shows the right side of her face. She has a short blonde hairstyle, swept up and back from her face. She has dark eyebrows, a small straight nose, and her lips are slightly parted as if she is about to speak. She is wearing a dark top. Caption: Hillary Rodham Clinton (1947–) Legal advocate for women and children. First woman presidential nominee of a major US political party. Credit: William J. Clinton Presidential Library/Sharon Farmer Image 10 of 13: Sandra Day O'ConnorDescription: The black and white image shows a fair skinned woman facing the viewer directly. She has wavy light blond hair framing her face in a short haircut. She has sculpted, thin, dark brows, eyes set slightly deep in her face. Her face has a strong, slightly square jawline. Her nose is straight, and her thin lips are closed.Caption: Sandra Day O'Connor (1930–) First woman justice on US Supreme Court. Credit: National Portrait Gallery, gift of the Portrait Project, Inc. Image 11 of 13: Geraldine FerraroDescription:The black and white head shot shows a fair skinned woman with a wide smile, showing her teeth. She is looking up and to the viewer's left, as if she was watching something in the sky. Her face is in three quarter profile, showing her left ear and cheek. She has short, feathered blond hair sweeping back from her face, looking full and wavy. Her eyes squint as if she is in bright sunlight. Her nose has a slight hook at the end. Caption: Geraldine Ferraro (1935–2011) First woman vice presidential candidate for a major US political party Credit: National Portrait Gallery/Diana Walker, gift of Time Magazine. Image 12 of 13: Barbara MikulskiDescription:The black and white head shot shows a fair skinned woman with a round face, a double chin and pronounced cheeks. She looks up and to the right. She has dark curly hair framing her face. She wears oval glasses with light colored frames. Her lips are pressed together in a slight smile. Her eyes are wide and bright, and the expression appears as if she is skeptical. Caption: Barbara Mikulski (1936–) Longest-serving woman in US Congress. Maryland’s longest serving US senator. Credit: Drew Angerer/Stringer Image 13 of 13: Women of the 116th US CongressDescription:This color photo shows a large group of adult women grouped closely together on a stairway. The image is taken from above, so all the women look up in the picture. The women are wearing white outfits. The group includes women of color, and the people vary in physical stature and size. Everyone is wearing white outfits. The center woman in the image wears a dark purple shirt under a white pantsuit, and the caption identifies her as Nancy Pelosi. Caption: Women from the 116th US Congress (2019) wear white clothes symbolic of those worn by women who marched for suffrage and the ERA. Nancy Pelosi (1940–) First woman speaker of the US House of Representatives. Credit: Associated Press
Description:
This color image is of a horizontal bar chart. 6 bars go from left to right. The bars are gold, and the background is purple, with black lines separating each bar. Top to bottom, the bars show the increasing percentage of women in Congress from 1917 to 2019. The top bar depicts the 1917 Congress, with 0.2% women. The next four bars are unlabeled except for the years of the congressional session, and show the percentage of women increasing through the years. The final bar shows the 2019 Congress, has the longest bar, and shows 23.7% of Congress are women. Caption: Percentage of Women in Us Congress Vs. Percentage of men in US Congress Quote: "We’re half the people. We should be half the Congress." - Jeannette Rankin
Description:
This image is a small, colored, inset map of the area around Belmont Paul Women's Equality National Monument on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The map shows the site in the center of the map, with a street grid and significant landmarks surrounding the area for six city blocks. Directly south and across the street from the house is the Supreme Court of the United States. Two blocks west and one block south of Belmont Paul shows the U.S. Capitol building and surrounding green space, taking up much of the left half of the map. One block west and four blocks south of Belmont Paul is the Capitol South Metro station. Four blocks north of Belmont Paul and one block west is Union Station, which includes Metrorail, bus, regional and Amtrak trains in the station. OverviewThis horizontal section has a deep black background with white text. On the left side is a color photograph of the Belmont Paul house, a four story brick house. Two short columns of white text are above the house picture. Continuing from left to right, three columns of white text then lead to a color photograph of a stained glass window.Image 1 of 2: NWP HeadquartersDescription:This color image shows a four story red brick house. The roof is black, and has three gable windows with white trim. The next story down has three windows with black shutters. The entrance to the house has a set of steps leading up to a white door with an arched window above the door. Flanking the door are two windows with black shutters and white trim. On the ground level, we can see three arches deep in shadow. Mature trees with green leaves flank either side of the house, and green shrubs partially black the view of the ground floor. Caption: Now home to the park, this historic building has also been the NWP’s headquarters since 1929. Credit: NPS Image 2 of 2: HallwayDescription:The image shows the top half of a door, deep in shadow, with two vertical panes of stained glass flanking each side, and above that a half-circle of stained glass arching over both the side panes and the door. The image is from the inside, with bright sun lighting up the glass with vibrant color. The light spills through stained glass, partially painting an adjoining wall and paintings on the wall with warm colors. The stained glass design is a geometric pattern on the side windows, with diamond and cross shapes in red and white on a mostly blue background. The semi-circular window has a small green half circle in the center, with rays of different colors and geometric designs extending out to the edge, like the spokes on a wheel or a fan. An inset circle shows a reversed image (since the view is from inside the house) of the numbers 144. The colors are blue, red, white and gold for the "spokes" of the design. Caption: Front hallway. Credit: NPS Related Text
Description:
Square image in color of the logo of the National Woman's Party. On a white background two horizontal stripes, a purple one above a gold stripe, with ragged edges as if someone took a wide paintbrush and swept across the image. Below that are three purple capital letters: N W P. Caption: https://www.nationalwomansparty.org/ Related Text: The park is operated in a public-private partnership between the National Park Service and the National Woman’s Party, which is committed to preserving the legacy of Alice Paul, a founder of the NWP and an author of the Equal Rights Amendment, and telling the untold stories for the benefi t of scholars, current and future generations of Americans, and all the world’s citizens.
We strive to make facilities, services, and programs accessible to all. For information, ask a ranger, call, or check our website. The entrance is on 2nd Street includes an electric lift. First floor foyer, exhibits, and bookstore are wheelchair accessible via another lift. The first floor bathroom is wheelchair accessible. The park film is captioned.
Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument is one of over 400 areas in the National Park System. To learn more visit, www.nps.gov.
Address: 900 Ohio Drive SW Washington, DC 20024 Phone: 202-543-2240 Website: www.nps.gov/bepa |
Last updated: June 10, 2026