WASHINGTON—The Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission held its first meeting for administrative purposes at the Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 29. The commission, created in 2017 through the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission Act, will lead national efforts to commemorate, educate, and celebrate the centennial of the passage and ratification of the 19th Amendment.
At the first meeting, the commission approved of its charter and circulated it to the appropriate congressional and federal offices. Commissioners also unanimously elected Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch as chair and Heritage Foundation President Kay Coles James as vice chair. James was appointed by President Donald Trump to serve on the commission.
“I am excited for the opportunity to work with Kay Coles James on this important work in celebrating women’s right to vote in our country,” said Kleefisch. “This group is comprised of successful and inspiring women of diverse backgrounds, and I’m optimistic about what we will accomplish together.”
The commission includes 14 appointees, who represent “diverse economic, professional, and cultural backgrounds,” as intended under the law. They include:
- Chair Rebecca Kleefisch, lieutenant governor of Wisconsin
- Vice Chair Kay Coles James, president of The Heritage Foundation
- Jovita Carranza, 44th treasurer of the United States
- Susan Combs, assistant secretary for policy, management and budget at the U.S. Department of the Interior
- Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony List
- Heather Higgins, president and CEO of Independent Women’s Voice
- Karen Hill, president and CEO of Harriet Tubman Home
- Julissa Marenco, assistant secretary for communications and external affairs at The Smithsonian
- Barbara Mikulski, former senator from Maryland
- Nicola Miner, professor at the College of San Mateo
- Cleta Mitchell, partner at Foley & Lardner
- Jennifer Siebel Newsom, documentary filmmaker/actress
- Colleen Shogan, deputy director for national and international outreach at the Library of Congress
- Debra Wall, deputy archivist of the United States
The commission will meet at least once every six months until it terminates on April 15, 2021. The next meeting will be held Dec. 7 in Washington, D.C., and will be open to the public.
