Capitol Hill in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
From June to December, 1917
The Occoquan Steps
These Concrete entrance steps are the only two architectural elements remaining from the demolished women's workhouse.
Erected by The National Woman's Party.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Government & Politics • Women. In addition, it is included in the Women's Suffrage series list. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1917.
Location. 38° 53.528′ N, 77° 0.236′ W. Marker is in Capitol Hill in Washington, District of Columbia. Marker is on Constitution Avenue Northeast (Alternate U.S. 1) west of 2nd Street Northeast, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 144 Constitution Avenue Northeast, Washington DC 20002, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Sewall-Belmont House & Museum (here, next to this marker); Residence of Albert Gallatin (a few steps from this marker); Alva Belmont House (a few steps from this marker); Fiery Destruction (within shouting distance of this marker); Torch of Freedom (within shouting distance of this marker); Cortelyou House (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Minuteman Memorial Building (about 500 feet away); The Old Brick Capitol (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Capitol Hill.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 12, 2013
6. Hunger Strikers
Rose Winslow organized a hunger strike at the Occoquan Workhouse. The strikers were brutally force-fed three times a day.
"All the officers here know we are making this hunger strike that women fighting for liberty may be considered political prisoners; we have told them. God knows we don't want other women ever to have to do this again." -- Rose Winslow, November 1917.Close-up of photo on marker
"All the officers here know we are making this hunger strike that women fighting for liberty may be considered political prisoners; we have told them. God knows we don't want other women ever to have to do this again." -- Rose Winslow, November 1917.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 18, 2012
7. Dora Lewis, Louise Rowe and Abby Scott Baker
Dora Lewis (center), physically supported by Clara Louise Rowe (left) and Abby Scott Baker (right), upon her release from District Jail, where she participated in a hunger strike, August 1918. Lewis was arrested a total of four times between 1917 and 1919.Close-up of photo on marker

Harris & Ewing, Washington, D.C., via Wikipedia Commons
12. Virginia Arnold holding the Kaiser Wilson banner
The banner reads “Kaiser Wilson Have you forgotten your sympathy with the poor Germans because they were not self-governed? 20,000,000 American women are not self-governed. Take the beam out of your own eye.”
Credits. This page was last revised on June 8, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 955 times since then and 28 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week August 27, 2017. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on January 19, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 12. submitted on August 26, 2017. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.