FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Merissa Blum, 215-409-6645
[email protected]
NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER KICKS OFF YEARLONG 19TH AMENDMENT CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION IN MARCH FOR WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
In honor of the centennial anniversary of the 19th Amendment, the National Constitution Center kicks off special museum programming in March 2020
Philadelphia, PA (February 27, 2020) – August 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which expanded the right to vote to women across the country. This year, as part of the National Constitution Center’s yearlong Women and the Constitution initiative and opening of The 19th Amendment: How Women Won the Vote exhibit, the Center will offer a wide variety of programs and events celebrating this constitutional milestone.
Special museum programming will kick off in March for Women’s History Month and include the “Four Harriets” program, the “Votes for Women” educational music video workshop that looks at the women’s suffrage movement—inspired by the music of Lady Gaga, and a special self-guided tour highlighting important moments in women’s history.
Throughout 2020, the National Constitution Center will also convene America’s top women leaders and scholars to examine the historical and constitutional background of the 19th Amendment and the importance of equal citizenship for women. Featured programs during Women’s History Month include discussions on the untold stories of the fight for suffrage with Temple University’s Bettye Collier Thomas and Carnegie Mellon University’s Lisa Tetrault, a conversation with former congresswoman Donna Edwards and New York Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Hochul, moderated by political commentator Margaret Hoover, exploring the unfinished work of women’s suffrage, as well as an exclusive Members event with scholar Lori Ginzberg about suffragist and abolitionist Elizabeth Cady Stanton.
Members of the National Constitution Center can also enjoy exclusive women’s history tours throughout the Center’s main exhibit, The Story of We the People, on March 10 or March 22. The tours will highlight the journey of women’s suffrage in America and the passage of the 19th Amendment.
The National Constitution Center will host one of its popular Girl Scout Days on Saturday, March 28. Girl Scouts can participate in fun and engaging programs designed to meet requirements for their Citizen Legacy Badge.
Women’s History Month Programs
Special Events
Women Leading Change: From Voting Rights Onward
March 10, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Free for 1787 Society Members, $15 Members, teachers, and students, $25 Non-Members
The National Constitution Center kicks off its yearlong celebration of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment with an evening of conversations on the history and legacy of the amendment that secured women the right to vote. The event will begin with a discussion with noted historians, including Bettye Collier Thomas of Temple University and Lisa Tetrault of Carnegie Mellon University, highlighting the untold stories of the fight for suffrage. It will be followed by a conversation moderated by political commentator Margaret Hoover featuring former Congresswoman Donna Edwards, New York Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Hochul, and others exploring how we can continue the unfinished work of women’s suffrage. This program is presented in partnership with All In Together and as part of the Center’s celebration of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. This program is generously sponsored by Procter & Gamble and Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC.
Members-Only Town Hall: Elizabeth Cady Stanton: An American Life featuring Lori Ginzberg
March 11, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Free for 1787 Society Members, $20 for Members and their guests (includes book)
In advance of the June 10 opening of the National Constitution Center’s new The 19th Amendment: How Women Won the Vote exhibit, Center Member and scholar Lori Ginzberg discusses her book Elizabeth Cady Stanton: An American Life. A book signing will follow the program.
Scout Day: Girl Scouts of the USA
Saturday, March 28, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Scouts $14, Adults $12, one free chaperon for every 10 scouts
Girl Scouts can participate in programs designed to meet requirements for their Citizen Legacy Badge, as well as select Journey requirements. Scouts will also journey back in time to learn about our nation’s greatest women heroes, from suffragists to Supreme Court justices, at programs including women’s history trivia games and a one-of-a-kind music video workshop. All Girl Scouts will receive a National Constitution Center Scout Day Fun Patch.
Museum Programming
Program times will vary. Please check the Visitor Guide upon arrival for that day’s show times.
FOURTEEN: A Theatrical Performance
Weekdays, through March 27, Bank of America Family Theater inside the Main Exhibit
Visitors can experience FOURTEEN, a moving theatrical performance that sheds light on the Reconstruction era and the ratification of the 14th Amendment. Through dramatic interpretation of original texts, such as abolitionist and suffragist Frances Ellen Watkins Harper’s “The Great Problem to be Solved” speech, the 35-minute performance brings to life the leaders, influential figures, and everyday Americans who were central to the era. This production has been supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage. Group reservations recommended.
“Four Harriets” Program
Weekends, Main Exhibit
Visitors can explore the lives of four American women—Harriet Robinson Scott, Harriet Tubman, Harriet Jacobs, and Harriet Beecher Stowe—who confronted slavery through literature, lawsuits, and direct action in their efforts to free themselves and others from bondage.
Votes for Women: Decoding the Lyrics Music Video Workshop
Weekends, Main Exhibit
History gets a hip twist in this interactive show. Visitors can watch Soomo Publishing’s historical, humorous take on Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” music video—redone to tell the story of the women’s suffrage movement. Then visitors will take a closer look at the lyrics and references in the video to learn more about the passage of the 19th Amendment.
Women’s History Self-Guided Tour
Daily, Main Exhibit and Civil War and Reconstruction
Visitors can pick up a flier at the Information Desk to take a self-guided museum tour highlighting important moments in women’s history, including:
- Rare artifacts connected to the women at the heart of the abolitionist movement, including Harriet Scott’s signed petition for freedom, a copy of Harriet Tubman’s autobiography, and a copy of the classic Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe.
- One-of-a-kind artifacts that give a glimpse into the daily lives of revolutionary-era women who once called the museum’s block home.
- A plate that reads “Votes for Women” alongside other women’s suffrage movement highlights.
- Equal Rights Amendment button from the 1970s.
- The American National Tree, highlighting groundbreaking women such as Alice Paul, Betty Ford, and Dr. Mary E. Walker (the only American woman to be awarded the Medal of Honor).
- Spots throughout the exhibits featuring famous quotations by women who made constitutional history
Giant Game Board Activity
Daily, Grand Hall Lobby
As part of the Center’s interactive daily programming in March, visitors can test their knowledge of women’s history.
Online Resources
Interactive Constitution
The National Constitution Center’s Interactive Constitution explores the 19th Amendment, which ensured that the right to vote could not be denied on the basis of sex, with in-depth essays written by top scholars Nancy Gertner and Gail Heriot. Podcasts, videos, blog articles, and more related to the 19th Amendment can be found in the Media Library of the Interactive Constitution.
Classroom Exchanges
Teachers and students can celebrate Women’s History Month with a Classroom Exchange on March 3 or March 27 focused on historical and modern understandings of the First Amendment rights of assembly and petition. Classroom Exchanges give students the opportunity to connect with other students across the country in real-time, face-to-face videoconferences to discuss constitutional issues. These 30-minute live exchanges are moderated by constitutional experts, including judges and master teachers trained in civil dialogue techniques.
2020 Civic Calendar
Each year, the National Constitution Center’s Civic Calendar commemorates a significant provision of the Constitution or a milestone event in constitutional history. This year, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, the 2020 Civic Calendar celebrates extraordinary women who have impacted constitutional history.
Now through March 31, visitors can enjoy discounted admission with the National Constitution Center’s Winter Warm Up sale. Admission prices will be discounted to $10 for adults (usually $14.50) and $7.50 for youth ages 6-18 (usually $11). This promotion is valid online only; tickets must be purchased in advance.
Admission during Women’s History Month includes access to the National Constitution Center’s new permanent exhibit, Civil War and Reconstruction: The Battle for Freedom and Equality; the interactive main exhibit, The Story of We the People; the signature multimedia, theatrical performance of Freedom Rising presented in the Sidney Kimmel Theater; and the iconic Signers’ Hall, featuring 42 life-size, bronze statues of the Founding Fathers.
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About the National Constitution Center
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia brings together people of all ages and perspectives, across America and around the world, to learn about, debate, and celebrate the greatest vision of human freedom in history, the U.S. Constitution. A private, nonprofit organization, the Center serves as America’s leading platform for constitutional education and debate, fulfilling its congressional charter “to disseminate information about the U.S. Constitution on a nonpartisan basis.” As the Museum of We the People, the Center brings the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages through interactive programs and exhibits. As America’s Town Hall, the Center brings the leading conservative and liberal thought leaders together to debate the Constitution on all media platforms. As a Headquarters for Civic Education, the Center delivers the best educational programs and online resources that inspire citizens and engage all Americans in learning about the U.S. Constitution. For more information, call 215-409-6700 or visit constitutioncenter.org.
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About the National Constitution Center
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia brings together people of all ages and perspectives, across America and around the world, to learn about, debate, and celebrate the greatest vision of human freedom in history, the U.S. Constitution. A private, nonprofit organization, the Center serves as America’s leading platform for constitutional education and debate, fulfilling its congressional charter “to disseminate information about the U.S. Constitution on a nonpartisan basis.” As the Museum of We the People, the Center brings the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages through interactive programs and exhibits. As America’s Town Hall, the Center brings the leading conservative and liberal thought leaders together to debate the Constitution on all media platforms. As a Headquarters for Civic Education, the Center delivers the best educational programs and online resources that inspire citizens and engage all Americans in learning about the U.S. Constitution. For more information, call 215-409-6700 or visit constitutioncenter.org.
