Since 1807, the beautiful Congressional Cemetery  has been serving the nation as sacred ground for Congressmen and tradesmen, diplomats and domestics, explorers and architects, soldiers and musicians.  Among the 55,000 individuals and 30,000 burial sites are many heroes who upheld the rights of American citizens throughout the nation’s history.

We invite you to - come, walk, and learn about the women and men buried right here, within the Beltway, who played key roles in advancing justice and equality for all.  

• Let knowledgeable guides lead you through the story of Belva Lockwood, a suffragist and civil rights lawyer who ran for president thirty years before women could vote.  
• Learn of Chief Push-ma-ta-ha, who fought for justice for his Choctaw tribe.  
• Hear of William Boyd, an Underground Railroad conductor who went to jail for smuggling slaves across the Pennsylvania border. 
• Visit the inspirational gravesite of civil rights pioneer Leonard Matlovich, who stood up for gay service members long before "don't ask, don't tell" was part of the national consciousness.
• Listen to some of the stories being shared by advocates currently connected to these civil rights struggles to remind how alive this history remains.

THE SPONSORS:

The Faith & Politics Institute is a bipartisan, interfaith, nonprofit organization, supported by the contributions of corporations, foundations, labor unions, religious organizations, and individuals.  Its mission is to advance reflective leadership among members of Congress and congressional staff to bridge divides that arise in a thriving democracy.

The mission of the Association for the Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery is to serve the community as an active burial ground and conserve the physical artifacts, buildings, and infrastructure of the cemetery; to celebrate the American heritage represented by those interred here; restore and sustain the landscape, protect the Anacostia River watershed, and manage the grounds as accessible community resource.

Participating Organizations include: Sewall-Belmont House, District of Columbia, GLAAD, National Park Service, and others.