[MUSIC]
>> We are gathered here today on 5/16/2021 in Kirk won
regional Park Lorton, Virginia
about 25 miles southwest of Washington, D C on part of the
historic prison grounds where scores of suffer just known as
the silent sentinels were imprisoned in 1917 after
illegally being arrested and jailed for picketing the White
House,
we would not have reached today's dedication milestone
without the collaborative effort of each and every one of
you with us today as well as thousands of others across the
country. We are so very grateful for this support.
This is the only suffered just Memorial in the country to
honor every single suffer. Just 2 fought from 1848 to 1920
and to tell the entire story of the suffrage movement.
>> For any of you who know me. My mother also was it was a
deeply important part of my life. And yeah, sorry. At 93
she passed this year. So
but she taught me about caring so deeply about people and
making a difference in people's lives. And I I always think of
her to clean these moments.
So the concept of fairness is very important to me.
It's driven my life equality equity for all
many are continue to struggle even long after the 1920's and
really even into this present day with equal rights
Amendment, Virginia. I know we have far more to do. We're not
done with this journey.
We need to continue to educate inspire empower that all of
those present and future generations to remain vigilant
and the quest for Liberty,
freedom and equality.
And while supporting them as well as my hero and said
to create a more perfect union.
>> 22 visionary college coed CE
gave birth
to doubt the Sigma Theta sorority on January. The 13th
1913 joran saw March 3rd 1913 suffrage parade down
Pennsylvania Avenue in the nation's capital gives credence
to my attendance here today. They became separatists
possibly without even real high the state and what their steps
with mean in the future.
They stuck to chick-fil-a recruit it
Mary church Terrell as an honorary member. I have to tell
you, this is a special day
and Delta is on it
to have history. Recognize capital wrote
in the struggle for the 19th amendment.
>> We are also here today recognizing the millions of
women and men who fought for 72 years. So that a woman's right
to vote would be enshrined in the 19th amendment.
Their story until now has, as Pat said, largely been untold
reduced to maybe a box in a school textbook with Elizabeth
Cady Stanton and Susan B Anthony.
But so many others planned and struggled and devoted much of
their lives to the women's vote.
They have long deserved recognition and celebration.
We have 19 informational stations, 19, no accident.
They were developed by a team of historians to detail the arc
of the suffrage movement and make clear that the
ratification of the 19th amendment was the beginning and
not the end. It would take another 4 years for Native
Americans to be considered citizens with voting rights
for some Asian Americans. The vote would come even later
and many black women could not really vote until 1965 because
of discriminatory practices like poll taxes and literacy
tests. Even today. The fight goes on to make sure that women
everywhere
have and keep their right to vote.
It took a team effort over nearly 13 years to complete
this Memorial it at a cost close to 3 million dollars and
included on that team are thousands of donors from 45
states and the District of Columbia
truly establishing this as a national Memorial.
Many here today deserve. Thanks for helping bring this
memorial to life to make sure that the greatest story never
told now will never be forgotten.