Press Releases

ICYMI: Congresswoman Gwen Moore Hosts Special Order Hour on House Floor to Honor Congresswomen, Past and Present

***WATCH DWC FLOOR SPEECHES HERE***

Washington D.C. – ICYMI, Rep. Gwen Moore, hosted a Special Order Hour on the House Floor for Women’s History Month to honor women members of Congress throughout history who have broken barriers and paved the way for current women in Congress.

In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) members paid tribute to women leaders in Congress, past and present, and the important gains they fought for in Congress. The members also made clear that they will continue the work of the Democratic women who came before them to build a more equitable and just world for future generations of women and girls.

Rep. Gwen Moore, Co-Chair of the DWC Communications Task Force, kicked off the floor speeches: "I am so delighted to be joined by members of the Democratic Women's Caucus. We celebrated Women's History Month and highlighted many of the powerful women who have come to Congress, blazed trails, and made their mark on this male-dominated institution."

Rep. Lois Frankel, Chair of the DWC, honored Bella Abzug, a leader in Congress and the founder of the Woman’s Political Caucus: “She was a true force to be reckoned with. A passionate, compassionate leader who wore many hats, literally and figuratively, and stood up for her values regardless of consequences. … She was a woman to be taken seriously and she did not back down from the biggest fights of her generation. She did not give up creating a better world for her children, her children's children, and as women members of Congress looking back on her legacy, we take courage from her actions. And we will continue to fight to build the equitable world she dreamed of. Bella never backed down and neither will we.”

Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Co-Chair of the DWC Policy Task Force, honored Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress: “When asked how she wanted to be remembered, Shirley Chisholm said she wanted to be remembered as a black woman who lived in the 20th century and dared to be herself. A catalyst for change. Today, during Women's History Month and every month we honor women like Shirley, we follow in their footsteps, and we continue running, winning, leading, legislating and taking up all the space with our full, authentic selves, just as Shirley taught us.”

Rep. Kathy Manning, Co-Chair of the DWC Policy Task Force, honored Eliza Jane Pratt, the first woman elected to Congress from North Carolina, and Eva Clayton, the first Black woman elected to the House from North Carolina: “These women were firsts in North Carolina politics, but they were certainly not lasts. Today, I stand before you as one of five women representing North Carolina in the house of representatives. The legacies of the women who came before us cleared a path for other women to legislate, represent, and advocate for their communities in congress. This Women's History Month, let's honor the legacies of those who came before us by committing to build a better, more equitable future for the next generation of girls and women.”

Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, DWC Whip and Co-Chair of the Outreach Task Force, honored Mayor Karen Bass, a former Congresswoman and the first Black woman to serve as Mayor of Los Angeles: “I am proud, not just to call her my mayor, but a friend and a mentor and a guiding light in the fight for justice.  … I come from a lineage of Black women in this seat, Black women who can't be beat. They are sheroes mostly because they are ordinary women who dared and continue to dare to do extraordinary things. Sometimes just by showing up, standing tall, leading with constitution, and not taking no for an answer. I am proud to be part of this group of women that celebrate the power, the female power that comes to us in Congress in these hallowed halls.”

Rep. Emilia Sykes, DWC White House Liaison, honored the 13 women that Ohio has sent to Congress throughout history: “Sojourner Truth gave a very important speech in my district in Ohio called “Ain't I a Woman," and at the end of that speech, she reminded us that if the first woman that God ever made was strong enough to turn this world upside down, then all these women together ought to be able to get it right side up again. That is what the legacy of the women from Ohio and throughout the nation who have served in this Congress have done. Get this world right side up again.”