Members of Congress are encouraging women to wear all white during Tuesday night's State of the Union address. According to Democratic leaders, the move is to pay homage to the women's suffrage movement. The move appears to be lead by Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL). She has previously asked women to wear all white during following President Donald Trump's inauguration speech and during the Women's March, Fox News reported.
“This is really going to be sending a message — especially to all the women and their families in the country that put us into the majority with all these new women [members] — that a big part of our agenda is going to be promoting the economic security of women and their families,” Rep. Lois Frankel, chair of the Democratic Women’s Working Group, told Roll Call.
But what's the significance of white?
“The white really harkens back to the day of the suffragists,” Frankel said. “I know there’s a debate about whether the suffragists really wore white, but I think historically and symbolically, white is associated with the suffragette movement.”
And, apparently, wearing white is a way of showing President Trump that women are important.
"Today we stand together wearing white in solidarity with the women of the suffrage movement who refused to take no for an answer," Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-MI), a leader of the Democratic Women's Working Group, said at a press conference on Tuesday, The Hill reported. "To an administration that has closed its eyes to women, we will be seen."
I'm looking forward to wearing suffragette white to #SOTU next week with all @HouseDemWomen! We'll honor all those who came before us & send a message of solidarity that we're not going back on our hard-earned rights!https://t.co/CVPLLIunde
— Rep. Lois Frankel (@RepLoisFrankel) January 30, 2019
At State of the Union tonight, @realDonaldTrump will look out at the House Chamber and see a sea of #Suffragette white sending the message loud&clear that @HouseDemWomen are fighting for the economic security of women & families. https://t.co/4sHNJWAzvP
— Rep. Lois Frankel (@RepLoisFrankel) February 5, 2019
Here's a look at some of the people participating in the messaging:
Stopped by @RepLoisFrankel’s office today and was pleasantly surprised by her beautiful art! Who knew this strong woman is not only a great leader but also an amazing artist! pic.twitter.com/6Ht2422KXo
— Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (@RepDMP) February 5, 2019
The state of the union (at the Capitol) is ... crowded. pic.twitter.com/g7qtdxIvM7
— Olivia Beavers (@Olivia_Beavers) February 5, 2019
House Democratic women pose pre-SOTU in suffragette white pic.twitter.com/YCURcy5gTi
— Mike DeBonis (@mikedebonis) February 5, 2019
.?@RepDeanPhillips? showing up all the men in the Democratic Caucus when it comes to honoring women. That’s commitment. pic.twitter.com/zGJUbY4aIB
— Rebecca Kaplan (@RebeccaRKaplan) February 5, 2019
House Democratic women wearing white to tonight’s #SOTU to show solidarity with suffragettes pic.twitter.com/ivzRAYdL4F
— Cristina Marcos (@cimarcos) February 5, 2019
Women make the #SOTU strong! ???? ???? pic.twitter.com/JigZvnt0SV
— Rep. Veronica Escobar (@RepEscobar) February 5, 2019
Sisters of the Union! #SOTU #womenleaders #HERstory #StateOfTheWoman pic.twitter.com/zzRUnCuKt2
— Katherine Clark (@RepKClark) February 5, 2019
Women in White (and the men who support us!). Wearing suffragette white to send a clear message that this Congress stands with women. #SOTU ???? pic.twitter.com/0GbPI9CtpN
— Rep. Jennifer Wexton (@RepWexton) February 5, 2019
During President Trump's 2018 State of the Union address, Democratic women wore black to stand in solidary with the #MeToo movement.