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CONTACTS: Ashley Berke Lauren Saul Director of Public Relations Public Relations Manager 215.409.6693 215.409.6895 [email protected] [email protected]

CELEBRATE THE EXTRAORDINARY ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF WOMEN THROUGHOUT HISTORY DURING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH AT THE NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER

Philadelphia, PA (February 10, 2012) – This March, visitors to the National Constitution Center can celebrate Women’s History Month with special events that pay tribute to the achievements, leadership, courage, and strength of countless women throughout American history who challenged the status quo. The Center will honor trailblazers such as Susan B. Anthony and Sandra Day O’Connor, as well as remarkable women like Betsy Ross and Marian Anderson who called Philadelphia home. In connection with the upcoming 2012 presidential election, the Center will highlight prominent First Ladies throughout history and pay homage to the women behind the suffrage movement, whose actions and steadfast determination over 80 years ago made it possible for women to achieve the right to vote.

The schedule of events includes:

Philadelphia Girl Power Daily at 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. FREE with museum admission This 20-minute interactive show focuses on the remarkable women who have called Philadelphia home. Visitors will learn the incredible stories of women such as Betsy Ross and singer and civil rights activist Marian Anderson. Philadelphia Girl Power also celebrates “famous female firsts” in Philadelphia, the home of the first women’s medical college and the first Girl Scout cookie sale.

First Ladies Show Daily at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. FREE with museum admission Did you know that Sarah Polk helped write her husband’s speeches? Or that Lady Bird Johnson was one of our nation’s first environmentalists? This election year, learn about the role of America’s First Ladies and how these women had a tremendous impact, not only on their husband’s presidencies, but also on American history. -MORE- ADD ONE/WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH 2012

Self-Guided Tour of The Story of We the People Daily throughout March FREE with museum admission

This self-guided tour of the Center’s main exhibition, The Story of We the People, highlights defining moments in women’s history. At the time when our Founders wrote the Constitution, women could not vote in a national election; yet today, women serve as governors, senators, Supreme Court justices, and presidential candidates. Visitors will learn about the struggles women overcame to achieve these remarkable advances. Highlights include:

The judicial robe worn by retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the first female member of the Supreme Court of the United States. A collection of artifacts from Susan B. Anthony and the movement for women’s suffrage, including a letter penned by Susan B. Anthony in 1901, advocating women's suffrage and "equal rights with men... before the law"; a “Votes for Women” pennant from 1915; and a “Votes for Women” plate, featuring a pattern which became a popular way to show support for the women’s suffrage movement. The “American National Tree,” which highlights people who have helped shape the Constitution over the last 200 years, such as Bella Abzug, a feminist member of House of Representatives; Myra Bradwell, a feminist denied the right to practice law; Mary Goddard, printer of the Declaration of Independence; Katharine Graham, Washington Post publisher who authorized the publication of the Pentagon Papers; Candy Lighter, Founder of Mothers Against Drunk Driving; and Patsy Mink, the first Asian-American woman elected to Congress.

Giant Board Game Daily throughout March Game times vary; check the visitor guide upon arrival FREE with museum admission At the Center’s giant board game in the Grand Hall Lobby, visitors can test their knowledge of women’s history, while competing to see who can make it to the finish first. Participants serve as game pieces as they roll the giant dice, answer questions, and work their way across the board to the finish line.

Women of Power (School Group Package) Must be booked in advance at 215.409.6800 $14 per person Grades 3-12 During the Women of Power show, students will learn about extraordinary women throughout history and the issues they faced while trying to secure equal rights. The show will explore the passing of the 19th Amendment and the new roles of women in society by examining the lives of courageous women who defied the norms of society and paved a path for future generations. Students also will discover how the struggle for women’s rights impacted efforts for equality for all citizens.

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ADD TWO/WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH 2012

The Women of Power school group package must be booked in advance, and includes the award-winning presentation Freedom Rising, the interactive Women of Power show, and an educational workshop about the Center’s main exhibition. Educators also can bring the Women of Power show to their schools through the Center’s Traveling History and Civics Program. Details and prices are available at www.constitutioncenter.org/thcp.

The National Constitution Center is the first and only nonprofit, nonpartisan institution devoted to the most powerful vision of freedom ever expressed: the U.S. Constitution. Located on Independence Mall in Historic Philadelphia, the birthplace of American freedom, the Center illuminates constitutional ideals and inspires active citizenship through a state-of-the-art museum experience, including hundreds of interactive exhibits, films and rare artifacts; must- see feature exhibitions; the internationally acclaimed, 360-degree theatrical production Freedom Rising; and the iconic Signers' Hall, where visitors can sign the Constitution alongside 42 life- size, bronze statues of the Founding Fathers. As America's forum for constitutional dialogue, the Center engages diverse, distinguished leaders of government, public policy, journalism and scholarship in timely public discussions and debates. The Center also houses the Annenberg Center for Education and Outreach, the national hub for constitutional education, which offers cutting-edge civic learning resources both onsite and online. Freedom is calling. Answer it at the National Constitution Center. For more information, call 215.409.6700 or visit www.constitutioncenter.org. ###