To kick-off the seventh and final day of his summer #JerseyRoadTrip, today U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) met with members of the Girls Advisory Council at the Alice Paul Institute to discuss the unfinished work of the women’s equality movement and expanding opportunity for women and girls. The Girls Advisory Council is a program at the Alice Paul Institute for New Jersey high school students interested in gaining leadership skills, promoting awareness and education, and advocating for issues affecting girls across the world.

The Alice Paul Institute is a New Jersey based gender equality advocacy organization named after New Jersey suffragist and activist Alice Paul.

“I believe then-First Lady Hillary Clinton said it best over two decades ago when she said: ‘human rights are women’s rights and women’s rights are human rights’ — we simply cannot expect to succeed as a nation unless we’re ensuring that women and girls across the country have equal opportunities at success,” said Sen. Booker.

“The young women I spoke with in Paulsdale today were intelligent, inspiring and courageous—they reflect the very best of who we are as a country and deserve to live in an America that sees and empowers the very best in them. I will continue to work with my colleagues on policies that remove barriers to success based on gender, enable families to thrive and encourage all girls to dream.”

“Few residents of South Jersey have had a greater impact on American history than Alice Paul,” said U.S. Representative Tom MacArthur (R-NJ-03), who joined Sen. Booker for today’s visit.

“Alice Paul’s tireless dedication and courage paved the way for future generations guaranteeing all American women the right to vote. Alice Paul is an example to all Americans of what one individual can do to make a difference for millions of people. I was pleased to recognize her tireless efforts to give a voice to women in our democracy and abroad by introducing the Alice Paul Congressional Gold Medal Act, and I'm happy to stand with Senator Booker as we work to move this important legislation.”

“The Alice Paul Institute is thrilled to host Senator Booker and Congressman MacArthur to meet with volunteers and members of our Girls Advisory Council,” said Lucienne Beard, Alice Paul Institute Executive Director.

“As the only National Historic Landmark in the state that honors a woman, Paulsdale is a unique site in New Jersey. API’s leadership development programs and other work continue Alice Paul’s work for gender equality, which Senator Booker does with his support for equal pay and the Equal Rights Amendment and Congressman MacArthur does with his sponsorship for the Alice Paul Congressional Gold Medal Act.”

“We are extremely pleased that Senator Booker has chosen to visit Paulsdale during his county visits throughout New Jersey,” said Barbara Irvine, Alice Paul Institute Founding President.

“Paulsdale represents more than 30 years of dedication on the part of the Alice Paul Institute to preserve the legacy of one of this country's most important 20th Century champions for women rights, Alice Paul. Today the Alice Paul Institute provides a wide range of leadership development opportunities for young women and girls. Knowing of Senator Booker's commitment to advancing women's rights, we hope he will be pleased to learn more about what we are doing at this nationally recognized historic site.”

Sen. Booker is an original co-sponsor of U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez’s (D-NJ) Alice Paul Congressional Gold Medal Act, to posthumously award Alice Paul with the Congressional Medal of Honor in recognition of her work in advancing women’s equality.

Sen. Booker strongly believes that when women and families do better, all of America does better. He has partnered with colleagues on legislation and legislative actions to work to empower women and minority owned small businesses, better understand and close the wage gap, strengthen federal family leave laws, address gender based barriers and disparities in the STEM fields and protect a woman’s right to make her own healthcare decisions.