Bennet’s Legislation Would Make Every Word We Utter Sculpture the First Outdoor Monument Commemorating Women’s Suffrage in Nation’s Capital
DeDecker shows Bennet the progress being made on the Every Word We Utter sculpture in her Loveland studio
Louisville – Today, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet visited the Loveland sculpting studio of Colorado artist Jane DeDecker to see the progress being made on her Every Word We Utter sculpture celebrating the pioneers of the women’s suffrage movement – Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Harriot Stanton Blatch, Sojourner Truth, Alice Paul, and Ida B. Wells. This week marks the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution which prohibited women from being denied the right to vote.
“It was incredible to visit Jane’s studio and see firsthand the progress she is making on Every Word We Utter. I see the suffragists as founders in exactly the same way as any of the men who wrote the Constitution––they challenged Americans to make our country what it ought to be,” said Bennet. “Their bravery and persistence are why our country ratified the 19th Amendment 100 years ago, affirming women the right to vote. I can’t think of a more fitting way to commemorate their trailblazing work than with the first outdoor monument in their honor. I’ve introduced legislation to place the Every Word We Utter sculpture in our nation’s capital to inspire young women, like my three daughters, to take action, make their voices heard, and continue to strive for a more democratic nation where every American is able to exercise their right to vote.”
“We need to build monuments and memorials that tell equitable, collaborative, and the complex stories of our shared American experience that inspire. The sacrifices that the suffragists made in securing the right to vote for women cannot be forgotten or wasted. It is time for a women's monument in our nation's capital to be placed in a prominent location equal to the preeminent, historical, and lasting significance that the women's participation in our democracy has had on the United States of America. As we celebrate the centennial of the ratification of the 19th Amendment we must remind ourselves that many women from all parts of the country, independent of race or economic status, fought for the right to vote but, not all these women who fought were able to vote in the 1920 election. It is so important that we remember the history of these great women and honor their efforts by voting in 2020 election,” said Jane DeDecker, sculptor of Every Word We Utter.
“Over the past few months, and while celebrating the suffragists and their legacy, I thought often of the women I saw all across our country; standing in lines for hours and wearing masks while exercising their right to vote. They, like the suffragists before them, were determined to have their voices heard and their vote counted. As a result of this two-year project, the right to vote has become even more sacred to me. I count myself as fortunate to live in the great state of Colorado, where one can safely and securely vote by mail. Voting is a critical principle of our democracy and regardless of circumstance, individuals should have the ability to exercise their right to vote without obstacles, interference or suppression,” said Jody Shadduck-McNally, President of the Every Word We Utter Monument Board. “As the President and co-founder, and on behalf of the Every Word We Utter Monument board, I am grateful for the support of Senator Michael Bennet as a sponsor of this meaningful and timely endeavor. Passing this legislation and establishing the first outdoor monument in Washington, D.C. to honor and commemorate the work and sacrifice of women suffragists past and present is the right thing to do.”
On the 100th anniversary of Senate Passage of 19th Amendment last year, Bennet introduced legislation to authorize DeDecker to install Every Word We Utter as a national monument in Washington, D.C. near the U.S. Supreme Court. In February, companion legislation led by U.S. Congressman Joe Neguse (D-CO-2) was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. Once installed, the sculpture would be the first outdoor monument to commemorate the women’s suffrage movement.
During his visit to DeDecker’s studio, Bennet also visited with members of Every Word We Utter Monument Board of Directors, the non-profit organization working diligently to advance the effort to place Every Word We Utter in Washington, D.C.
