Press Release

ARCURI HONORS SUFFRAGETTE MARTHA COFFIN WRIGHT

Washington, DC -- Today, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform advanced a resolution sponsored by U.S. Representative Michael A. Arcuri (D-Utica) honoring suffragette Martha Coffin Wright on the 200th anniversary of her birth and her induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.

“It is important to honor the men and women who stood up in Seneca Falls and began a movement of equality and justice for all,” said Arcuri. “Martha Coffin Wright was one of the organizers of the First Women’s Rights Convention and an active abolitionist who opened her Auburn home to the Underground Railroad. I am honored to represent Seneca Falls in Congress and share the region’s truly amazing history with my colleagues in Washington.”

The resolution (H.Res. 588) honoring Martha Coffin Wright will be considered on the House floor next week, and is expected to pass with bipartisan support.  Martha Coffin Wright will be formally inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame during a ceremony on Sunday, October 7, 2007 at the New York State Chiropractic College, which Arcuri will attend.

Martha Coffin Wright, with her sister Lucretia Coffin Mott and activist Elizabeth Cady Stanton, was one of five organizers of the First Women’s Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, New York, in 1848.  This historic convention produced the “Declaration of Sentiments,” modeled on the Declaration of Independence, which for the first time publicly demanded equal rights and suffrage for women.

Martha Coffin Wright participated in many subsequent women’s rights conventions in various capacities, often serving as president. She was an active member of the abolition movement, and with her sister Lucretia attended the founding meeting of the American Anti-Slavery Society in Philadelphia in 1833.  She later presided over many anti-slavery meetings and opened her Auburn, New York home to the Underground Railroad.

The residents of Seneca Falls, New York, established the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 1969 to honor the contributions of great American women with a permanent home.  In 1980, Congress recognized the historic importance of the First Woman’s Rights Convention and the significance of Seneca Falls as the birthplace of the women’s rights movement by establishing the Women's Rights National Historical Park. 

Arcuri’s resolution has 55 cosponsors: Rep Ackerman, Gary L. (NY-5); Rep Altmire, Jason (PA-4); Rep Baca, Joe (CA-43); Rep Baird, Brian (WA-3); Rep Becerra, Xavier (CA-31); Rep Bordallo, Madeleine Z. (GU); Rep Boyda, Nancy E. (KS-2); Rep Braley, Bruce L.(IA-1); Rep Brown, Corrine (FL-3); Rep Cardoza, Dennis A. (CA-18); Rep Carney, Christopher P. (PA-10); Rep Castor, Kathy (FL-11); Rep Clarke, Yvette D. (NY-11); Rep Courtney, Joe (CT-2); Rep Crowley, Joseph (NY-7); Rep Cuellar, Henry (TX-28); Rep DeLauro, Rosa L. (CT-3); Rep Donnelly, Joe (IN-2); Rep Engel, Eliot L. (NY-17); Rep Gillibrand, Kirsten E. (NY-20); Rep Gonzalez, Charles A. (TX-20); Rep Hall, John J. (NY-19); Rep Hastings, Alcee L. (FL-23); Rep Higgins, Brian (NY-27); Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. (NY-22); Rep Israel, Steve (NY-2); Rep Kagen, Steve (WI-8); Rep Kuhl, John R. "Randy", Jr. (NY-29); Rep Lampson, Nick (TX-22); Rep Lee, Barbara (CA-9); Rep Lowey, Nita M. (NY-18); Rep Mahoney, Tim (FL-16); Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. (NY-14); Rep Matsui, Doris O. (CA-5); Rep McGovern, James P. (MA-3); Rep Miller, George (CA-7); Rep Murphy, Christopher S. (CT-5); Rep Murphy, Patrick J. (PA-8); Rep Napolitano, Grace F. (CA-38); Rep Ortiz, Solomon P. (TX-27); Rep Pastor, Ed (AZ-4); Rep Rodriguez, Ciro D. (TX-23); Rep Sanchez, Linda T. (CA-39); Rep Schiff, Adam B. (CA-29); Rep Serrano, Jose E. (NY-16); Rep Shea-Porter, Carol (NH-1); Rep Sires, Albio (NJ-13); Rep Slaughter, Louise McIntosh (NY-28); Rep Solis, Hilda L. (CA-32); Rep Space, Zachary T. (OH-18); Rep Sutton, Betty (OH-13); Rep Tauscher, Ellen O. (CA-10); Rep Velazquez, Nydia M. (NY-12); Rep Welch, Peter (D-VT); Rep Wilson, Charles A. (OH-6).

The text of House Resolution 588 is included below:

110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 588
Recognizing Martha Coffin Wright on the 200th anniversary of her birth and her induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 31, 2007
Mr. ARCURI, submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
 
RESOLUTION
Recognizing Martha Coffin Wright on the 200th anniversary of her birth and her induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame.
Whereas, Martha Coffin Wright, sister of Lucretia Coffin Mott, was one of five organizers of the First Woman's Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, New York, in 1848;
Whereas from this convention came the `Declaration of Sentiments', an appeal for basic rights for women, modeled on the Declaration of Independence;
Whereas when Martha Wright helped to plan the Seneca Falls Convention, she was six months pregnant with her seventh child, epitomizing the personal strength and dedication of the participants of the women's rights movement;
Whereas the sites associated with the First Woman's Rights Convention are preserved in the Women's Rights National Historic Park in Seneca Falls, New York;
Whereas after the Seneca Falls Convention, Martha Wright participated in many State and national women's rights conventions in various capacities, often serving as president;
Whereas during the antebellum years, Martha Wright was active in the abolition movement, attended the founding meeting of the American Anti-Slavery Society in Philadelphia in 1833, and later presided over numerous anti-slavery meetings;
Whereas Martha Wright's home in Auburn, New York, was part of the Underground Railroad; and
Whereas slavery was abolished in 1865 with the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment, and women's suffrage was achieved in 1920 with the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) Recognizes the 200th birthday of Martha Coffin Wright;

(2) Recognizes the induction of Martha Coffin Wright into the National Women's Hall of Fame; and

(3) Honors the accomplishments of Martha Coffin Wright in her fight for equal rights for all Americans.

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