Be There First: the Newest National Monument on Capitol Hill

President Obama declared a new national monument for the women’s equality movement on April 12, 2016, or Equal Pay Day. The Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument is located steps away from the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

The Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument is the newest monument on Capitol Hill and the ninth National Park Service unit dedicated to women’s history. Photo Credit: National Park Service

Using the Antiquities Act, President Barack Obama designated a new monument on April 12, 2016, Equal Pay Day, to recognize the women’s equality movement. The Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument is the ninth National Park Service unit dedicated to women’s history.

The Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument is located at 144 Constitution Ave. NW, on Capitol Hill steps away from the U.S. Capitol. The newly named national monument is the former Sewall-Belmont House, a National Historic Landmark since 1974. The building has been the National Woman’s Party headquarters since 1929.

The Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument is named after two women important to the suffragist movement of the 20^th century. Alva Belmont was the former National Woman’s Party president and Alice Paul was the National Woman’s Party founder.

Founded in 1916, the National Woman’s Party had one goal, getting women the right to vote. When the 19^th amendment passed, the National Woman’s Party worked for an Equal Rights amendment.

The monument houses Susan B. Anthony’s desk, a library and a museum. Along with documents important to the suffrage and equal rights movements, there are sculptures and portraits of important members of the National Woman’s Party.

The Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument received a $1 million donation for the restoration of the building from philanthropist, David Rubenstein. Google also announced that it will include the new monument in its virtual tour product for teachers.

The Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument building dates back to 1800. It’s one of the oldest-standing houses near the U.S. Capitol.

With this designation, President Obama has established or expanded 23 national monuments. He has protected 265-million acres of land and water during his presidency.