March is Women’s History Month

Norcross Received Equality Award from the Alice Paul Institute

WASHINGTON, DC – During the first week of Women’s History Month, Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) introduced a House Resolution to have a portrait of New Jersey native and women’s rights leader Alice Paul hung in the U.S. Capitol building.

“It’s a rare honor to have a portrait hung in the Capitol but, currently, under 10% of the people receiving this honor are women. We can do better than that, and there’s no one who deserves this tribute more than New Jersey’s Alice Paul,” said Congressman Norcross. “From leading the National Women’s Party for over 50 years to authoring the Equal Rights Amendment, Alice Paul never stopped fighting for what’s right. Even when times were rough and she was arrested, she always stood by her convictions. As someone who grew up not far from her family’s home in South Jersey, I have always heard about and admired Alice Paul’s audacity. I hope my colleagues from around the country will soon be able to see our Jersey hero on a regular basis.”

“The Alice Paul Institute is in full support of Congressman Donald Norcross’ efforts to permanently memorialize Alice Paul in the United States Capitol building. Alice Paul’s deep belief in gender equality fueled her efforts to ensure that democracy in the United States was truly representational of the citizenry through the passage of the 19^th Amendment in 1920 which granted women the right to vote. We applaud Congressman Norcross’ commitment to rectifying the severe lack of public art that recognizes the important contributions of leading women in American history,” said Krista Niles, Marketing and Civic Engagement Coordinator at the Alice Paul Institute.

On Monday, March 4, 2019, Norcross received the 2019 Equality Award from the Alice Paul Institute for his work  championing equality through equal access to high-quality education, job training and a living wage.

Norcross added: “It’s humbling to not only be recognized for my work advancing equality, but to be honored in Alice Paul’s name. She fought tooth and nail for women’s rights and I vow to continue the fight in her memory.”  

Photo: Norcross and Gemma Miller, a member of the Alice Paul Institute Girl's Leadership Council. Miller presented Norcross with the Equality Award on Monday evening.

As a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor, Norcross co-sponsored and voted in favor of the Paycheck Fairness Act (which expands upon the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009). He has also co-sponsored the Equal Rights Amendment, the Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act, the Child Care for Working Families Act and the Raise the Wage Act (which would lift 19% of American women out of poverty).

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Contact: Ally Kehoe, Communications Director
ally.kehoe@mail.house.gov