Dear NWHM Member,

Welcome and thank you for your continued support.  This page is designed to give you a little more inside information on our legislative efforts, as well as more detailed information about our past accomplishments. NWHM continues to build momentum with the help of many -- especially loyal Members like you.  It's a long process but we are dedicated to making this happen.  Each day we move closer to our goal and on this page you can read about some of our successes!

November

• On November 19, 2009 NWHM Board and staff members gathered at a message summit, held by Powell Tate. Powell Tate is NWHM's PR firm. The summit was led by Vicki Sneed of KRC Research. During the session, the group brainstormed on ways to best represent the Museum and discussed message possibilities.
  
  

  Clockwise around the table: NWHM Board Member Susan Scanlan, NWHM Program Director Nikki Emser, NWHM Advisor Lora Lynn Jones, NWHM Senior VP Ann Stone, NWHM Consultant Aileen Moffatt, NWHM Secretary & Acting Treasurer Susan Sudman, NWHM President & CEO Joan Wages, Retired head of Broadcasting for the NEWSEUM Jack Hurley, and NWHM Board Member Madelyn Jennings.

  
  
  
• On November 18, 2009 NWHM sent a letter to the Senate, urging them to cosponsor and pass S 2129. The letter was signed by members of NWHM's National Coalition. To read the letter, please click here.
  
  
  

October

• On October 29, 2009 Senator Susan Collins reintroduced the Senate bill, S 2129. The bill was introduced with 19 cosponsors: Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Kay Hagan (D-NC), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Patty Murray (D-WA), Mark Pryor (D-AR), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and George Voinovich (R-OH). To read the bill, please click here.
  

• On October 14, 2009 HR 1700 passed the House by a voice vote! To celebrate the passage of the bill, Representative Carolyn Maloney held a press conference on October 15, 2009. To read the press release, click here. To watch the video of the bill passing, please click here.
  
  

  Rep. Maloney pointing out the site on a map. From L to R: NWHM Historical Consultant Doris Weatherford, Rep. Maloney, NWHM President & CEO Joan Wages, NWHM Board Member Susan Scanlan, NWHM VP Ann Stone, Lisa Maatz (AAUW), and NWHM Board Member Linda Denny.

  
  

  From L to R: NWHM Historical Consultant Doris Weatherford, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, NWHM President & CEO Joan Wages.

September

• In preparation for the passage of our legislation, NWHM staff have been hard at work updating numerous things. A new redesign of the website is coming soon and a new database is being discussed to better handle membership information. Check back often for updates!

August

• NWHM President & CEO Joan Wages met with Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA) to discuss NWHM's program and exhibition design. RAA have worked on 130 museums in 22 countries, including the Holocaust Museum and the Newseum.
  
  
• We keep hearing good things about our legislation! We have been busy calling every House office--with great results! We currently have 47 cosponsors for our bill, which is more than we have had on previous legislation.

July

• NWHM has unveiled new lesson plans for the following exhibits: Chinese American Women, Women of Jamestown, and Partners in Winning the War: Women of WWII. To view these lesson plans, please click here.

May

• NWHM Board members Joan Wages, Karen Staser, Ann Stone, and Susan Sudman attended the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial Silent Sentinal Award ceremony at the Lorton Prison, where some suffrage leaders were held.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

April

• From L to R: Past President Susan Jollie, Board Member Alma Morales Riojas, President Joan Wages, Senior VP Ann Stone, Treasurer Angie Moore, and National Advisor Becky Schergens

  On April 18, NWHM Board members attended the unveiling of the Sojourner Truth bust at the Capitol Visitor Center. NWHM congratulates the National Congress of Black Women on getting the statue in the Capitol.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

March

• From L to R: NWHM President Joan Wages, National Coalition advisor Becky Schergens, NWHM Senior VP Ann Stone, advisor Lora Lynn Jones, and Jeanne Schramm

  On March 9, NWHM launched its first permanent exhibit, entitled "This Isn't Right!" Women Reform Leaders 1847-1952. The exhibit, donated by Robert and Jeanne Schramm of West Virginia, is now available to be viewed, Monday-Friday, by appointment only. Please call 703-461-1920 or email to set up a time. A CyberExhibit of the items is available here.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• On March 25, NWHM hosted a Congressional Reception at the Capitol Visitor Center. At the event, Representative Carolyn Maloney (our bill sponsor in the House), spoke to NWHM members about the legislation. Author Kirstin Downey also spoke about her new book entitled “The Woman Behind the New Deal: The Life of Frances Perkins, FDR’s Secretary of Labor and his Moral Conscience.” Click here for pictures from the event.