Renewed Effort To Build Women’s History & Latino Museums On National Mall In Washington, DC

Malliotakis Leads Renewed Effort to Build Women’s History & Latino Museums on National Mall

Editor’s note: Staten Islander News previously covered the celebration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month back in February. 

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11)  joined Representatives Judy Chu (CA-28), Jenniffer González-Colón (Puerto Rico) and Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) in introducing H.R.9274, the Smithsonian History of American Women and Latino (SHAWL) Act, bipartisan legislation that would build the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum and National Museum of the American Latino on the National Mall.

In 2020 under the Trump Administration, Congress authorized the creation of the two new museums with overwhelming bipartisan support. This legislation builds on that effort by allowing the transfer of land from the National Park Service to the Smithsonian so construction can move forward near the Tidal Basin on the National Mall.

“I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the bipartisan SHAWL Act to continue building on efforts to make these critically important museums a reality,” Congresswoman Malliotakis said. “By establishing these museums, we can share the stories of the trailblazing women and Latinos who came before us so future generations can learn about their many contributions, how they helped build our nation, and fought for equal rights and protections under the law.”

“The National Mall tells the story of our country, and that story is incomplete without the inclusion of the prolific accomplishments of America’s women and the Latino community, and the ways they have made our union a more perfect one,” said Rep. Judy Chu.”I’m working with a broad coalition of Members of Congress to introduce and pass the bipartisan SHAWL Act, which will see to it that the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum and the National Museum of the American Latino secure their rightful, prominent spots on the National Mall.”

“As the first woman to represent Puerto Rico in Congress, I have been honored to support the creation of the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum and National Museum of the American Latino to tell the full story of our nation,” said Rep. Jennifer González-Colón. “Women and Hispanics were integral to the foundation of America and who we are today. Despite accounting for 51 and 19 percent of the U.S. population, respectively, their history is absent from the National Mall where it belongs. I thank my colleagues Nicole, Judy, and Tony, my fellow Board Member, for this joint bipartisan effort to make these Museums, and the more representative history they will tell, a reality.”

“The introduction of this critical bill brings us one step closer to fulfilling the dream of having both museums right where they belong – on the National Mall,” said Rep. Tony Cárdenas. “Building these museums on the mall will enrich the experience of the millions of visitors to our nation’s capital and will serve to tell a more complete history of our country.”

Last month, Reps. Malliotakis and Chu hosted a bipartisan breakfast in the Capitol with the original Wonder Woman, Lynda Carter, and members of the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Advisory Council to garner support for the legislation.

Banner Image: Congresswoman Malliotakis pictured with Dr. Elizabeth Babcock, Director of the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum, New York State Assembly Majority Leader & Museum Advisory Board Member Crystal Peoples-Stokes, Vivian Riefberg, actress Lynda Carter, and Jane Abraham (co-chair) who are members of the Museum’s Advisory Council. Image Credit – Rep. Malliotakis

Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis

Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis was sworn in on January 3, 2021 to represent Staten Island and Southern Brooklyn. Prior to serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis was elected to the New York State Assembly on November 2, 2010, defeating a two-term incumbent. In the Assembly, she served as Minority Whip and the ranking minority member of the Assembly Committee on Governmental Employees. For five terms, Congresswoman Malliotakis fought to restore ethics in Albany, expand transit service in her district, improve programs for senior citizens, reform education and improve New York’s economic climate by reducing the tax burden on small businesses and residents. A cornerstone of her tenure was helping her community recover and rebuild following the devastation of Hurricane Sandy in 2012. In addition to advocating for these same issues in Washington, Congresswoman Malliotakis is acutely focused on securing New York’s fair share of federal mass transit funding, which would go towards expanding transportation services and easing traffic congestion, while also championing public safety by supporting our nation’s law enforcement officers. Congresswoman Malliotakis is the daughter of immigrants, her father from Greece and her mother a Cuban exile of the Castro dictatorship. She is currently the only Republican member representing New York City in Congress, representing a district spanning the boroughs of Brooklyn and Staten Island. She is a passionate advocate for animal rights and the strengthening of animal cruelty laws, and in her spare time, enjoys spending time with her chihuahua, Peanut.