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When Joan Wages, President of the National Women's History Museum, was successful at moving the Suffrage statue to the Capitol rotunda from the depths of the basement, it served as a metaphor for women's history. She wanted to bring the accomplishments and contributions of women into the light and placed in full view for all to see and learn.
Founded in 1996, the National Women's History Museum, a private organization, is currently an online resource offering a cyber museum and exhibits ranging from the suffrage movement to women in World War II. But for the past 12 years, the NWHM has been trying to find a permanent, physical home to house numerous documents, records and archives that highlight these accomplishments.
NWHM has always wanted to be located on or near the National Mall and has pursued two prime locations in the past. "[This is] a city of symbols. We believe that women's accomplishments and contributions should be at the heart of the nation's capital." Wages said.
In 2005 the museum pursued the annex of the old Post Office building at 12th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. NW and in 2007, they went after the Smithsonian's Arts and Industries Building. But these past attempts have fallen through.
Today, they have their eye on a particular parcel of land at the corner of 12th St. and Independence Ave. SW, next to the Department of Energy. Since this space is federal property and close to the National Mall, legislation is required to direct the General Services Administration to sell the property at fair market value.
They helped introduce legislation in 2005 directing the GSA to sell the old Post Office building to NWHM, but it failed. Legislation was not needed when NWHM pursued the Arts and Industries building in 2007, since the Smithsonian soon discontinued their pursuit of private entity tenants.
The new property became available when the National Health Museum pulled out of the site and moved to Atlanta. The NWHM jumped at the location and quickly drafted legislation that closely mimicked that of the National Health Museum.
NWHM has high hopes that the legislation will move, since the bill will first be heard in the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, and the Chair, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, is one of the original co-sponsors. Companion legislation will be introduced in the Senate the week Congress returns from August recess, leaving a few short weeks to pass both chambers before Congress heads out for the year.
If the legislation fails, NWHM will pursue it again next session, though Wages feels this is the year for Congress to act, saying that "women have waited long enough for recognition, now is the time."