WASHINGTON – Dozens of Democratic lawmakers – all women – strutted into the House chamber this evening wearing white to send a message to President Donald Trump during his State of the Union address.

The Democratic Women's Caucus in the House organized the effort. The color choice honors the women's suffrage movement that led to the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, which granted women the right to vote.

Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Mich., the co-chair of the caucus, said the group stands united "against President Trump's backwards agenda," which she said attacks "the foundation that was built by the women pioneers of this country."

In a news conference house before Trump's speech, Lawrence highlighted the women who struggled for equality throughout history and added that “the battle continues,” specifically highlighting women’s right to reproductive health care.

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Donning white for the occasion is nothing new. House Democratic women have worn white during Trump’s past State of the Union addresses.

“This is a sign of women empowerment and unity,” Rep. Nydia Velázquez, D-N.Y., said as she walked outside the House chamber. “It is important for everyone, including the president, to understand that we play an important role here in the Congress and elsewhere.”

Hillary Clinton also wore white when she accepted the nomination for president at the 2016 Democratic National Convention in honor of the women's suffrage movement. And Geraldine Ferraro wore white when she accepted the nomination to become the first female candidate for vice president for a major American political party at the 1984 Democratic convention.

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