We are asking you to sign this petition in order to show the Iowa Board of Regents that the Iowa State community does not support the name of Catt Hall. The name of the building celebrates Carrie Chapman Catt, who was a suffragette who also supported white supremacy. Catt is quoted to have said that “white supremacy will be strengthened, not weakened, by women’s suffrage.” She also is purported to have called Native Americans “savages” and to have supported blocking voting rights for uneducated immigrants.

Through the election of Donald Trump, the United States has shown its support for white supremacy. However, the Iowa State community does not have to do the same. By changing the name of Carrie Chapman Catt Hall, ISU can show that we do truly support equality and inclusivity. We think that now, with white supremacist propaganda being spread on campus and with Trump's harmful rhetoric emboldening racists, it is essential that the administration takes visible action to combat white supremacy. Please join us in asking the Iowa Board of Regents to change the name of Catt Hall in order to symbolically show that Iowa State University does not support white supremacy.