WASHINGTON – The White House announced Tuesday President Donald J. Trump’s intent to appoint Kay Coles James, resident of Virginia and president of The Heritage Foundation, to be a member of the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission.
The commission was established by Congress in 2017 “to ensure a suitable observance of the centennial of the passage and ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States providing for women’s suffrage.”
“What a privilege to be asked by President Trump to serve on the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission. The ratification of the 19th Amendment on August 18, 1920 is a milestone in freedom’s history,” said James. “I look forward to commemorating the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote in America alongside 13 other women, many of whom have inspired me over the years through their leadership. Over the next two-plus years, as a commission, we will remind America what it takes to win our freedom and, more importantly, how to keep it.”
The commission will be composed of 14 members appointed by the president, the Speaker of the House, the minority leader of the House, the majority leader of the Senate, the minority leader of the Senate, the Librarian of Congress, the Archivist of the United States, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institute, and the Director of the National Park Service.
As of Sept. 4, appointments include:
By President Trump: Jovita Carranza and Kay Coles James
By Leader McConnell: Cleta Mitchell and Marjorie Dannenfelser
By Leader Schumer: Barbara Mikulski and Karen Hill
By Leader Pelosi: Nicola Miner and Jennifer Siebel Newsom
By Speaker Ryan: Rebecca Kleefisch and Heather Higgins
“I want to applaud President Trump’s choice of Kay Coles James to serve as a member of the Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission. Kay is a friend and one of my personal heroes,” said Penny Nance, president and CEO of Concerned Women for America. “I can think of no better woman deserving of such an honor. Kay Coles James represents the best of American women, coming from humble beginnings and rising with dignity and honor to the highest levels of public service. Her thoughtful, compassionate, intelligent perspective will be a great addition to this commission – which already includes other great women leaders who I call friend – that will mark such an important event in the women’s suffrage movement, the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.”
The commission will meet every six months to develop programs, activities, and events with public and private partners across the country “that allow people in the United States to learn about the women's suffrage movement and to commemorate and honor the role of the ratification of the 19th Amendment in further fulfilling the promise of the Constitution of the United States and promoting the core values of our democracy.” The duties of the commission will conclude no later than April 15, 2021.
