Contact: Rebecca Kleefisch
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(Washington D.C.)- The Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission today announced the appointment of its Executive Director, Rebecca Kleefisch. Kleefisch was sworn into duty in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, January 22, charged with leading the federal team that will execute the WSCC mission. The Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission was created by Congress in 2017 to orchestrate and coordinate America’s commemorative and educational efforts surrounding the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote.
“Rebecca Kleefisch is the perfect fit for our mission,” said Kay Coles James, Chairman of the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission and President of the Heritage Foundation. “As the former Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin, she is the type of woman leader that the early suffragists hoped would grow from their efforts: motivated and hardworking.”
The Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission, made of 14 women of diverse backgrounds, will guide the efforts to commemorate the ratification of the 19th Amendment which enfranchised American women.
“So often we take for granted this awesome privilege-turned-right,” Kleefisch said. “It’s an honor to share with five generations of Americans the fascinating stories, valiant efforts and remarkable strategies behind one of the most controversial political movements in American history.”
“It’s special that Wisconsin was the first state to ratify the 19th Amendment,” Kleefisch added. “It’s neat to think that I’m carrying on a Wisconsin tradition in championing this movement….100 years later.”
WSCC has an appropriated $3m budget and will expire in April 2021. The U.S. Congress ratified the 19th Amendment on June 4, 1919. The 19th Amendment became the law of the land when it was added to the Constitution and women were granted the right to vote on August 26, 1920.
