News Release

Gateway Arch and Old Courthouse to be Illuminated Purple and Gold

Date: August 26, 2020
Contact: Pam Sanfilippo, 314-655-1634
Contact: Jenna Todoroff, 636-530-1235 ex 225

The park joins fellow National Park Service sites and other landmarks across the country in participating in “Forward Into Light,” which is led by the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission. “Forward Into Light” is a phrase most famously associated with the banner carried by suffragist Inez Milholland in the May 4, 1911, New York City suffrage parade. It became a popular rallying cry for women suffragists.

Gateway Arch National Park has strong ties to the women’s suffrage movement, as the Old Courthouse was the site of Virginia Minor’s courageous fight for the right to vote in the late 1800s. Her case was eventually heard by the U.S. Supreme Court.

“Although she ultimately lost her case at the Supreme Court, Virginia Minor had a lasting impact on women’s suffrage and inspired more women to fight for their right to vote” said Pam Sanfilippo, Chief of Museum Services and Interpretation at Gateway Arch National Park. “We are honored to join this celebration of women’s rights and mark this important milestone in American history.”

More information about Virginia Minor’s fight for voting rights is available at nps.gov/jeff.

“Forward Into Light” at Gateway Arch National Park has been made possible through a donation by the Gateway Foundation, which also funds the maintenance and operation of the Gateway Arch lighting system.


Why Purple and Gold?
In 1867, suffragists in Kansas adopted the sunflower, the state flower, as a symbol of their campaign. From then on, yellow (gold) became associated with the national women’s suffrage movement. It was described by members of the National Woman’s Party as “the color of light and life, is as the torch that guides our purpose, pure and unswerving.” 

Purple came to America as a suffrage color via England, where it represented “the instinct of freedom and dignity.” The National Woman’s Party described the meaning of purple in their purple, white, and gold flag as symbolizing “the color of loyalty, constancy to purpose, unswerving steadfastness to a cause.”

Purple came to America as a suffrage color via England, where it represented “the instinct of freedom and dignity.” The National Woman’s Party described the meaning of purple in their purple, white, and gold flag as symbolizing “the color of loyalty, constancy to purpose, unswerving steadfastness to a cause.”

Purple came to America as a suffrage color via England, where it represented “the instinct of freedom and dignity.” The National Woman’s Party described the meaning of purple in their purple, white, and gold flag as symbolizing “the color of loyalty, constancy to purpose, unswerving steadfastness to a cause.”

ABOUT: The Gateway Arch and the Old Courthouse are part of Gateway Arch National Park, located on the riverfront in downtown St. Louis. The Gateway Arch features the Tram Ride to the Top, the Museum at the Gateway Arch, the documentary film Monument to the Dream, The Arch Store and The Arch Café. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Due to the global pandemic, the Old Courthouse is currently closed. The park is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The Old Courthouse is located at 11 North Fourth Street, St. Louis, MO 63102. Most programs are FREE of charge and open to the public. Programs and events at the park are made possible by the generous support from our cooperating association, Jefferson National Parks Association, and Bi-State Development. For Arch tickets, go online to gatewayarch.com, call 877-982-1410 or visit the ticket counter in the Arch Visitor Center.