Explore the “Sisterhood of Congressional Firsts” October 30
Press Release · Thursday, October 10, 2019

Washington, DC

On Wednesday, October 30, at 7:15 p.m., the National Archives hosts a special forum titled Women in Leadership: The Impact of Women on the U.S. Congress.  A distinguished panel will explore the transformation in Congressional representation and how the women of the 116th Congress are changing the Hill and history.  

The program is free and open to the public and will be held in the William G. McGowan Theater of the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC. and live streamed on the National Archives YouTube Channel. Reservations are recommended and can be made online.   

When the 116th Congress convened in 2019, a record number of women -- 102 in the House of Representatives and 25 in the Senate -- held seats. How has this historic increase changed the ethos of the institution? How do newly elected women interact with experienced members? Will Congress change as more women are elected?  Brooke Baldwin, CNN anchor, will moderate a panel discussion with four of these women in power: Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV); Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI); Rep. Debra Lesko (R-AZ); and Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-MI). The discussion is part of the annual National Archives’ “Women in Leadership” public program forum. The Women in Leadership forum is made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation and through the generous support of BMO Financial Group.

“It is astounding that just 100 years ago, women did not have the right to vote. While now that right is uncontested, the issue of gender equality is still being debated in our homes and  workplaces, including on Capitol Hill,” said Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero. “For the past 11 years, this forum has celebrated women leaders in business, journalism, academia, technology and military.  I look forward to hearing from those personally engaged in this incredible sea change for women in politics."

Attendees should use the Special Events entrance on Constitution Avenue at 7th Street, NW. Metro accessible on the Yellow and Green lines, Archives/Navy Memorial/Penn Quarter station. For those without reservations, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The theater doors will open 45 minutes prior to the start of the program. Late seating will not be permitted 20 minutes after the program begins.  

This forum is held in conjunction with the new exhibition: Rightfully Hers: American Women and the Vote, made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation through the generous support of Unilever, Pivotal Ventures, Carl M. Freeman Foundation in honor of Virginia Allen Freeman, AARP, AT&T, Ford Motor Company Fund, Facebook, Barbara Lee Family Foundation Fund at the Boston Foundation, Google, HISTORY ®, and Jacqueline B. Mars. Additional support for National Outreach and Programs provided by Denise Gwyn Ferguson, BMO Financial Group, Hearst Foundations, Maris S. Cuneo Foundation, FedEx, Bernstein Family Foundation, and The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation/Ambassador Fay-Hartog Levin (Ret.).