America's Leading Women

Today's tour begins at the Sewall-Belmont House, reputedly one of the oldest buildings on Capitol Hill. This lovely house was built in 1800 by Robert Sewall around a preexisting structure that may date back to the late 17th century. Today the house is owned and operated by the National Women's Party and houses a museum which glorifies the women, like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Caddy Stanton, who fought for women's rights from woman's suffrage to the ERA.

Next stop, is the National Museum of Women in the Arts, where Red Hatters will view over 1,500 works by women- paintings, sculptures, graphics arts and photography from the 16th-century to the present. Continue on to the National Museum of American History, which houses The First Ladies Collection of Gowns. The collection also displays memorabilia reflecting life as the First Lady from Martha Washington to Hillary Clinton. You will see everything from Nancy Reagan's china to Mary Todd Lincoln's stationery.

To conclude our day of America's leading women we will stop at the Women In Military Service For America Memorial. Located at the Ceremonial entrance to Arlington National Cemetery across the Memorial Bridge, it is a memorial dedicated to all the women who have served in our nation's armed forces and those who have served in direct support of our armed forces, particularly during times of war or conflict. The Memorial was dedicate in 1997 after 11 years of work and includes permanent exhibits including World War II and the Korean War.