Recognizing the historic Woman Suffrage Procession of 1913 and honoring the courageous suffragists who fought tirelessly for women's right to vote.

Whereas women have long been denied the right to participate fully in the democratic process, facing discrimination and disenfranchisement solely based on their gender; Whereas the Women’s Suffrage Movement emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a powerful force advocating for the fundamental right of women to vote and have a voice in shaping the future of their country; Whereas, Alice Paul, Chair of the Congressional Committee of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, championed a shift toward Federal action, citing the slow progress and high costs associated with State-by-State referendums on women’s suffrage; Whereas Paul organized a procession on March 3, 1913, to persuade incoming President Woodrow Wilson of the necessity for a constitutional amendment for national women’s suffrage; Whereas, on March 3, 1913, the streets of Washington, DC, filled with thousands of women clad in suffragist white and carrying banners emblazoned with demands for equal rights and voting privileges; Whereas, Inez Milholland, a notable suffragist and labor lawyer, led the procession atop a white horse named Grey Dawn Whereas the marchers began their journey from the Capitol Grounds and made their way along Pennsylvania Avenue toward the Treasury Building, with additional participants waiting at the end of the route in the grandstand set up for the next day’s inauguration; Whereas the suffragists waved banners and placards bearing slogans such as Votes for Women We Demand An Amendment To The Constitution of the United States Enfranchising the Women Of This Country Whereas the procession featured marchers organized into seven sections, including women from countries with suffrage rights, representatives of various occupations, sororities and women’s clubs, including members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and State delegations, highlighting the diverse and widespread support for the suffrage cause; Whereas, despite initial expectations of a 45-minute procession, the event lasted several hours, drawing an estimated crowd of up to half a million spectators, including many in Washington, DC, for Wilson’s inauguration; Whereas, in the face of immense opposition, including verbal harassment and physical assaults, suffragists were resilient and determined to continue their march for equality; Whereas, despite the joint resolution to keep the procession route clear, spectators at Fifth Street obstructed the path, forcing the marchers to navigate through a hostile crowd; Whereas suffragists were subjected to taunts and attacks, including sexual propositions and being told to go home Whereas the violence escalated to the point where at least 100 protesters required medical attention, and medical professionals had to navigate through the crowd to reach the injured marchers; Whereas, despite the challenges and dangers they faced, many suffragists pressed on and completed the route, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to the cause; Whereas the visual spectacle of the procession conveyed the breadth and depth of women’s desire for the franchise; Whereas the Woman Suffrage Procession demanded equal voting rights for women and drew attention to the urgent need for political and social reform to achieve gender equality; Whereas, as the marchers reached their destination at the gates of the Treasury Building, they urged incoming President Woodrow Wilson to support the cause of women’s suffrage and champion legislation granting women the right to vote; Whereas when President-elect Wilson arrived in Washington, DC, for the next day’s inauguration to little fanfare, one of the incoming President’s staff asked, Where are all the people? Watching the suffrage parade Whereas the images of that historic procession, captured for posterity in newspapers and photographs, seared themselves into the collective consciousness of the Nation, serving as a stark reminder of the unfinished work of democracy and the urgent need for change; Whereas the overwhelming support and extensive media coverage of the Woman Suffrage Procession propelled the movement to the forefront of national attention; Whereas the spotlight shed on the procession became a focal point in the ongoing struggle for women’s suffrage, galvanizing public discourse and garnering widespread support for the cause; Whereas the bravery and perseverance of the suffragists who participated in the Woman Suffrage Procession catalyzed the women’s suffrage movement into a national effort focused on Federal legislative change; Whereas the relentless advocacy of suffragists like Alice Paul and Lucy Burns, who led the charge at the Woman Suffrage Procession, laid the groundwork for the eventual passage of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which granted women the right to vote in 1920; Whereas, as we commemorate this pivotal moment in the history of the women’s rights movement, let us reaffirm our commitment to upholding the principles of equality and democracy for all, ensuring that the sacrifices made by the suffragists are honored and their legacy preserved for future generations; Whereas the Woman Suffrage Procession underscored the urgent need for Federal voting rights legislation; Whereas Federal legislation provides valuable protections in ensuring the right to vote for all citizens; Whereas the imperative for Federal voting laws remains paramount, guaranteeing universal access to the ballot box and transcending the limitations of State jurisdiction; Whereas, despite the progress made since the passage of the 19th Amendment, significant barriers to voting rights and access persist for many marginalized communities, including women of color; Whereas it is imperative to recognize the intersectional nature of the struggle for voting rights, acknowledging that women of color, particularly Black women, faced not only sexism, but also racism during the Woman Suffrage Procession and continue to face systemic barriers to political participation; and Whereas the ongoing fight for voting rights echoes the struggles of the suffragists who bravely marched in 1913, reminding us of the importance of defending and expanding democracy for all Americans: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) commemorates the historic Woman Suffrage Procession of 1913 and honors the courageous suffragists who fought tirelessly for women’s right to vote; (2) recognizes the enduring significance of the Women’s Suffrage Movement in advancing gender equality and political participation in the United States; (3) reaffirms its commitment to upholding and protecting voting rights for all Americans, regardless of gender, race, or socioeconomic status; (4) condemns all forms of voter suppression and discrimination that undermine the integrity of our democracy and disenfranchise marginalized communities; (5) calls for renewed efforts to dismantle systemic barriers to voting and ensure equitable access to the ballot box for every citizen; and (6) pledges to continue working toward a more inclusive and representative democracy that reflects all Americans’ voices and experiences.

Summary: This resolution commemorates the Woman Suffrage Procession of 1913 and honors the suffragists who fought for women's right to vote.