Hillary Scholten: “The United States won its independence 250 years ago in the Revolutionary War, and our journey as the United States of…”

“The United States won its independence 250 years ago in the Revolutionary War, and our journey as the United States of America began. Yet, 250 years ago, I could not be standing where I am today. Women did not have the right to vote, to hold public office, or to own property 250 years ago. Some women were property 250 years ago. Women were a footnote to the story of our country's founding 250 years ago. Today, 250 years later, women make up 125 Members in the Congress, and the Democratic Women's Caucus is 96 strong. Women now make up more than 58 percent of college graduates, 40 percent of all businesses are women owned, and more than 52 Fortune 500 companies are led by women. This kind of change did not happen by accident. It happened because our mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, aunties, sisters, and cousins dared greatly and forged new paths for us to walk on. The freedoms and privileges we enjoy today are because of those who came before us. These are their stories. {time} 1515 Over the next hour, we will hear from women Members across the country who will share the stories of heroines who changed the course of history. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from North Carolina, Ms. Deborah Ross.”