The Justice Bell To Commemorate Women's Suffrage Centennial

The Justice Bell, the official symbol for women’s right to vote, will receive an epic send-off celebration on Tuesday, August 25 as it makes its ceremonious journey from its home at The National Patriots Bell Tower, Washington Memorial Chapel, Valley Forge Park to Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia to commemorate the Women’s Suffrage Centennial.

The journey of the Justice Bell is sponsored by the PA Daughters of American Revolution and will kick off at the Freedoms Foundation At Valley Forge (1601 Valley Forge Rd, Valley Forge, PA) at approximately 2 PM as nationally acclaimed female skydivers of “The Highlight Pro Team,” part of the Women’s Skydiving Network’s Project 19 initiative, will perform a special jump to pay tribute to the passage of the 19th Amendment and deliver a special champagne bottle to christen the Justice Bell’s journey.

The skydivers will proceed to Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge National Historic Park (2000 Valley Forge Park Rd, Valley Forge, PA) where a private suffrage program will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with VIP speakers including a special designation from Congresswoman Madeleine Deanand a special multi-media presentation before the Justice Bell departs for its journey to Philadelphia for Vision 2020’s “Toast To Tenacity” event on August 26.

Maria Bomersbach, President of Washington Memorial Heritage and Chair, Justice Bell 2020 stated “We are honored and grateful that the PA DAR has chosen to sponsor this journey and commemoration at the permanent home of The Justice Bell in Valley Forge and to celebrate the 100thanniversary of ratification of the 19thamendment. We look forward to collaborating with Vision 2020 and Independence National Historical Park to unchain and ring the bell once again in Philadelphia on August 26 at 1:00 PM as it was 100 years ago.”

The Justice Bell will be on display at Independence National Historical Park until October when it will make the journey back to Valley Forge.

Beth Watkins, State Regent, PA Daughters of American Revolution stated “The Pennsylvania Daughters of the American Revolution are proud to be sponsoring the commemoration of the centennial of the Justice Bell unchaining and maiden ringing at Independence Hall. The event 100 years ago was a momentous celebration marking a hard-fought battle by women to gain suffrage. We are excited to be marking the occasion with a joyous event that celebrates giving justice to American women.”

The Justice Bell 2020 Committee comprises leadership from the following organizations:

• Drexel University Vision 2020: Women 100
• Descendants of Katharine Wentworth Ruschenberger
• Washington Memorial Heritage
• Washington Memorial Chapel
• Daughters of American Revolution
• Freedoms Foundation of Valley Forge
• League of Women Voters
• Valley Forge Park Alliance
• Chester County Historical Society
• Independence National Historical Park
• Cedar Crest College
• Delta Sigma Theta

The event is closed to the public however it will be streamed on The Washington Memorial Chapel’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/wmchapel/and web site

http://wmchapel.org.