In the United States, August 26 is celebrated as Women’s Equality Day in honor of the adoption of the 19th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which happened on this day in 1920. This amendment prohibits the government from denying citizens the right to vote on the basis of gender, effectively giving women in the U.S. the right to vote.
This important day in U.S. history has been celebrated since 1973, but it’s about more than just one day. One way Local Guides honor the work done by the suffragettes all year long is by visiting the Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument in Washington D.C. This historic house has been the headquarters of the National Woman’s Party, who were instrumental in the fight for women’s suffrage, since 1929. Today, it houses memorabilia from the women’s rights movement in addition to being the party’s headquarters. In 2016 the house was declared a national monument.
Explore the house with photos your fellow Local Guides have shared on Google Maps and read what they have to say about their visit:
“This is an interesting national monument. It’s basically a house where a political party performed it’s organizing duties. But that party happened to be responsible for pushing thru legislation to get women the right to vote. Take the tour to get the good stories. I really felt the gritty power of the woman who went to jail to get us our vote. I don’t like gift shops but recommend this one because it sells soap and tea, the same things the suffragettes sold to support their cause. It also sells jail door necklaces. They are great gifts for women and you can have a conversation about when and how women got the vote.” -Local Guide Nevenka Anastas
“This was a small museum about women’s suffrage where they continue to catalog the ongoing women’s rights movement. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. The home is beautiful.” -Local Guide Christine Posada
“Headquarters of the National Woman’s Party, this historic home in Washington DC documents the fight for passage of the The Susan B. Anthony Amendment (19th) and the ongoing work of the Party in support of women’s rights. Excellent NPS Rangers give entertaining commentary.” -Local Guide Maria Limarzi
“Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument is an oft overlooked but a wonderful piece of our national heritage. We swung by here on a whim on a Sunday morning…The staff at the monument were incredibly friendly and gave us a personal introduction to the house…The fact that it still contains the offices of the National Women’s Party is also very cool. Do stop by for a visit if you have the chance!” -Local Guide Duncan Henricks
What are your favorite monuments to visit in your city? Tell us in the comments below!
