About

The mission of the Alice Paul Institute is to honor the legacy of Alice Paul’s work for gender equality through education and leadership development.

In 1984, a group of advocates for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) decided to ensure that the 1985 centennial of the birth of Alice Paul, the author of the ERA, would be appropriately commemorated. They founded the Alice Paul Centennial Foundation, then created a slate of leadership programs for girls and purchased an important collection of Paul’s papers and artifacts. Eventually, they were also offered the opportunity to acquire Paul’s childhood home, Paulsdale, saving the house and property from development.

Today, as the Alice Paul Institute, the organization continues to educate and empower girls and young women to view themselves as leaders, encourage civic engagement, preserve Paulsdale, and advocate for the passage of the ERA which, when enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, will give legal and lasting equal protections to people of all genders.

The Alice Paul Institute is committed to having a positive impact in the ongoing, intersectional struggle for gender equality. We utilize an expansive and inclusive understanding of the terms “women” and “girls” and welcome the participation of trans women and girls, non-binary and gender non-conforming people, and anyone else who identifies with women and girls.