President Trump signs bill to create suffragist monument that will feature Loveland artist Jane DeDecker’s work
“Every Word We Utter” will be placed in Washington, D.C.
President Donald Trump signed into law Thursday legislation establishing a suf fragist monument in Washington, D.C., created by Loveland artist Jane DeDecker.
DeDecker’s sculpture, “Ever y Word We Utter,” features Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Sojourner Truth, Harriot Stanton Blatch, Ida B. Wells and Alice Paul. An exact location for the sculpture has not been determined, though an early version of the bill called for it to be placed near the U.S. Supreme Cour t.
“It is fitting to close this year — the centennial of women’s suf frage — with this strong declaration for the histor y and legacy of the women’s suf frage movement. Women deser ve this commemoration, and the battles for equality that continue today deser ve it, too,” DeDecker said in a statement. The president had urged Congress to pass the bill, H.R. 473, in an August tweet, claiming, “I have done more for WOMEN than just about any President in HISTORY!” The bill was sponsored by Rep. Joe Neguse, a Lafayette Democrat, and cosponsored by ever y member of Colorado’s congressional delegation.
“The ratification of the 19th Amendment was a historic moment in our nation’s histor y, and the suf fragists who fought to secure the right for women to vote are American heroes,” Neguse said in a statement. “This statue will honor their perseverance, commitment and the long-fought victories gained by all women.”
The House passed the bill in February and the Senate did so in early December. In both cases, it passed on a voice vote, a tactic used for uncontroversial legislation.
No taxpayer dollars will be used in building or maintaining the monument. Instead, a board will collect donations, which can be made online at ever ywordweutter.com.